Author Question: Name some other characteristics of plants that can aid in identification, and explain how they are ... (Read 14 times)

B · **on:** Jul 21, 2018

Name some other characteristics of plants that can aid in identification, and explain how they are
useful.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Why are most indoor plants selected for interesting foliage rather than spectacular flowers?

What will be an ideal response?

bob · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 21, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Flowers and fruit associated with indoor plants may not be present due to lack of light, but beyond the
appearance of leaves on the plant, other indicators are present. Look at the aerial stems of the plant
growing above the soil line. Some stems are herbaceous and green while others are woody. Some
stems have patterns from leaf scars while others have lenticels, areas of cells that permit gas exchange
between stem tissue and the open air. Some plants do not appear to have any stem at all such as
Aspidistra, where blade and petiole appear above the soil line while the stem remains below.

Answer to Question 2

Lighting conditions indoors are often poor as compared to an outdoor garden or greenhouse in relation
to intensity of light energy. High levels of light are required to get a plant to bloom, so most interior
plants that perform well indoors make their way indoors due to interesting foliage rather than
spectacular flowers.