The Reproduction of Flowering Plants

Introduction:
Have you ever asked yourself the question, "Why do plants have flowers?" Well if you 
have then this site is just for you. Flowering plants evolved over 140 million years ago,
during the Jurassic period.  They were even eaten by the dinosaurs. Flowers play an 
important role in the reproduction cycle of plants.
 

TASK ONE

Why do plants have flowers?
The California Native Plant Society has done a great job answering this question on the following 
web site (Click Here)  California Native Plant Society  While previewing the site write a definition for
the following words that relate to flowering plants.
 
 

1. POLLEN	5. STIGMA
2. OVULES	6. OVARY
3. NECTAR	7. STYLE
4. STAMENS	8. OVUM

TASK TWO

Pollination:
One major process in the reproduction of flowering plants is pollination. Here is a great movie
on the pollination process. Watch the movie and complete the on-line quiz. 
Watch for the interesting facts about flowers. 
(Click Here)  BrainPop Pollination movie
 

TASK THREE

Leaves, stems, flowers, roots and some fruits  are all parts of  flowering plants.
        Now that you have some background knowledge from the previous activities 
        lets see if you can create a salad from plant parts.

        1. Pick a plant part

        2. Pick a part name (Draw an illustration of each picture and write the correct 
           word for each underneath). Separate piece of paper

        3. Check the following web site to see if your answers are correct and to create
           a salad.
      (Click Here)  Create A Salad
 

  A. Leaf
  B. Stem
  C. Fruit
  D. Root
  E. Flower

TASK FOUR
Flower Anatomy

Study the following picture of the flower. Notice the different parts that you have 
previously learned about. When you think you know where all of the parts are located try 
filling in the worksheet provided, after checking your answers color the flower in.
(Click Here)  Flower Anatomy

TASK FIVE

Create A Garden

           To make what you have just learned more meaningful and useful you are
           to create a garden to grow on your campus.

           Materials Needed:  (Click Here)  Gardening Planning List

           Procedure

        1. To make this a more meaningful garden you will need to record your 
             data in a personal garden journal. What you see can be changes in the
             growth, color, and texture. This make this a great literary experience also.

          2. Before choosing your seeds check the calendar dates to see the appropriate
             planting times and how to plant. Here are some samples of flowering plants
             and their planting times (Click Here) Seeds Planning 

          3. After planting your seeds you will need to measure your flowers and stems
             every other day and record your data. Here is a little measuring activity
             to help you with using a ruler. (Click Here) Garden Measuring 

          4. You can graph your data and compare the different flowers in your garden
           with your classmates. Calculate the difference in the growth of flowers over
            time.

TASK SIX
(Click Here) The Great Plant Escape

You are now a Horticulturist!!!
Click Me