SEPALS !

Design and InstallationGarden Caregarden TriviaIndoor plantsPlant Health Care
Written By Peter Morris

SEPAL

The word comes from Latin - separatus "separate" + petalum "petal".   

What is it?

 In Angiosperms (flowering plants) the sepal is a modified leaf found on the outermost part of the flower. They are usually green and therefore more likely to be confused with leaves. They are also often covered with tiny hairs.  Sepals can be long or short, thick or thin, fused together or separated, and are found in different numbers, which helps scientists classify different plants. 

Hair covered sepals.

 

Contrasting sepal coloration helps in attracting insects !

  The petals and sepals are usually differentiated into colorful petals and green sepals – but they are not always green ! The term tepal is usually applied when the petals and sepals are not differentiated and look similar or the petals are absent and the sepals are colorful.  

In Hellebore – the flower has no petals and the sepals function as the petals –

but we call them tepals !

 

Basic Function

 The initial function of sepals is to provide support and protection for a flower bud.  They close up around it until it’s ready to bloom.  Sepals surround the petals and the reproductive organs inside the flower primarily to protect them from harsh environmental conditions such as drying out. 

Specialization

 In most plants, once the flower has bloomed, the sepal withers or is present but no longer of use.  Sometimes however, it becomes covered in thorns and serve the function of protecting the seeds. In other cases, the sepals can go as far as growing larger and closing around the fruit in order to protect it from different kinds of insects or animals.  They may become sharp and pointy, and can even produce chemicals that would ward off predators. 

Sorrel (Hibiscus) –

           a drink from these sepals is brewed in Mexico and many Caribbean countries –                  its delicious!

 

It’s a keep away from me sepal ! –

Acaena species from New Zealand

 

In Physallis (Chinese lantern) the sepals protect the seed.

 

Delphiniums ! Who doesn't like them !

Beware of the toxic sepals – they are poisonous !

 

The thick sepals of Rafflesia protect the flower inside !

 

Monkey face orchid – Dracula simia –

Check out those sepals !!!

 

Those are some hairy sepals !  Rosa hybrida bud.

 

This flower produces a bright red set of bracts (a floral part similar to sepals that covers the whole flower)

Its called Hooker's lips (psychotria elata) – and that is self explanatory once you see the picture.

It also produces a psychedelic chemical – but of course it does !!!!

 

For a garden full of flowers (and sepals of course!)  -

Call Plant Specialists TODAY !

We have a Design Team that can do that for you ! !

Don't delay – the sooner the better !

 

GREENING NEW YORK FOR OVER 51 YEARS !

  Article written by our Staff Horticulturist, Peter B Morris, BSc, MSc, MBAAll photographs used with permission @SHUTTERSTOCK

Peter Morris

Peter was born and raised on a beautiful green island in the midst of a tropical rainforest. He was introduced into the world of plants at the age of six when his grandmother, an avid Spanish gardener herself, asked him to help her grow seeds for her pepper garden. He was hooked! By the time he was a teen, he had his own rose and orchid collection numbering in the hundreds. Botany was in his blood, and that is what he set out to study.

His passion brought him to NY in the late seventies to further his education. His tenacity allowed him to work full time at Plant Specialists while he completed a MS in Plant Biology. As a manager at the time he felt unsatisfied with his knowledge of business and business processes. Peter felt compelled to learn, so he then pursued and completed an MBA in Quality Management within a few short years.

Peter’s other passion is teaching. His natural ability is quickly consumed by our staff in all subjects in Botany, Horticulture, and Landscaping. He created an immense reference library of more than 3,500 plants providing an invaluable resource for our staff.

Peter’s breadth of knowledge and wisdom allows him to effectively diagnose the needs of plants. Sometimes just by walking into a garden he can create a prescription that fixes even the hardest issue. He is our Staff Botanist, Diagnostician, and all around Mentor. Recently, he has put his immense knowledge and skills into developing a new department that focuses on Plant Healthcare. As he puts it, “Magic through Science”. The PHC staff that surround him have avidly consumed his teachings. Substantially developing their own plant wisdom, many have taken on difficult plant health issues with spectacular results.

Plant Healthcare has been an instant success with customers! The proper treatment of insects and diseases including Organic methods has made pest control a necessity for every plant. Correcting hormonal imbalances caused by planting in containers or refurbishing soils leached of nutrients by irrigation systems are big challenges PHC has become quite comfortable addressing. The scientific approach to the complex demands of keeping plants healthy in our harsh city environment has made many a customer say WOW!

Previous

MY NEIGHBORS' UGLY BUILDING !
Next

VARIATION