BLM Leg 5 #4	Prairie Plant Study
P 1 of 4

A. Specimen
1.	What type of plant did you collect? ____________________________________
2.	Where did you find this specimen? ____________________________________
3.	Measure the length of the plant from root tip to the top of the stem. 
plant length _______cm

B. Root
1.	What is the function of the plant root?
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2.	Measure the length and width of the root.
root length ________cm	root width ________cm
3.	Compare the size of the root with the size of the portion of the plant that is above the ground.
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4.	List the physical properties of the root. Include your observations of the root hair. ________________________________________________________________
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5.	How is the root length important for this plant’s survival in its prairie environment?
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C. Stem
1.	What is the function of the plant stem?
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2.	Measure the length and width of the stem.
stem length _______cm	stem width _______cm

BLM Leg 5 #4	Prairie Plant Study (Continued)
P 2 of 4

3.	Describe the habitat of this plant (e.g., Was it growing in the open, under a tree, etc.?).
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4.	Break open the plant stem and examine it closely with a magnifying lens. What do you observe? Describe or draw and label what you observe.

5.	How does the structure of the stem help this plant to survive in its prairie environment?
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D. Leaf
1.	What is the function of the plant leaf?
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2.	Write or draw and label a description of the leaf.

3.	Measure the length and width of the leaf.
leaf length _______cm	leaf width _______cm
BLM Leg 5 #4	Prairie Plant Study (Continued)
P 3 of 4

4.	Break or crack the leaf and closely examine it with a magnifying lens. What do you observe? Describe or draw and label what you observe.

	

5.	Notice how the leaves are arranged on the stem. Describe or draw and label the pattern.

	

6.	How is the structure of the leaves important for this plant’s survival in its prairie environment?
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E. Flowers and Seeds
1.	What are the functions of the flowers of this plant?
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2.	What are the functions of the seeds of this plant?
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3.	Gently pull apart the flower heads. Remove all the petals and seeds. Examine these closely with a magnifying lens. What do you observe? Describe or draw and label what you observe.

	

BLM Leg 5 #4	Prairie Plant Study (Continued)
P 4 of 4

4.	How do the seeds from this plant travel to a new location to grow?
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5.	How does the method of seed dispersal help this plant to survive in its prairie environment?
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