The Life

Cycle Of a Plant

It all starts with a SEED. Inside each seed is a tiny plant. The new plant is surrounded by a supply of food in the cotyledon.  It is covered by a seed coat to protect it and its food until it is time for the plant to begin to grow.

http://urbanext.illinois.edu/gpe/case3/c3facts1.html

Seedling emergesSeed coat is splitWhite cotyledons are visible

The seed begins to grow with water, sunlight, and soil. WithoutJust the right amount of these—no growth!!

• Root system grows• The first true leaves appear• You can see them growing at the tip of the plant• They are between the seed leaves

• True leaves continue to grow• They grow at a rapid rate.• The plant has a growth spurt

• Yellow-green flower buds appear• The plant continues to grow in height• Buds develop into flowers

• Bees are needed to pollinate the buds• Pods form during the pollination process• The flowers begin to fall off

Do you remember the bees on toothpicks?

• True leaves begin to fall off• The pods are fully formed • The plants are taken off the water• Pods dry out• There are now seeds • The cycle has been completed• Seed to seed

Seed pods

Which of the following drawings best shows the life cycle of berry bushes growing naturally in a forest?

Try this plantQuiz—Are you

A Master Gardenerhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/science/tests/plants_grow.shtml

http://www.quiacom/mc/546031.html

Try this matchingGame to test

Your Plant Knowledge!!