Another Day, Another Module - Plant Stems

Maramataka

Tirea, our moon is in the new moon phase, a new cycle, Hina is beginning to return.

On reflection, the new moon and commencing my studies in this phase is symbolic; I am entering a new phase of my life as is Hina, she has refreshed and is returning anew as I plan to also one the other side of these papers.

Tirea is similar to Whiro and is the perfect time to review, reflect and discuss new learnings. It is a time to set intentions and plan for the lunar cycle ahead. 

Me Auaha! Be Creative!

Stems and Their Functions

This module begins by expanding on the root & shoot systems that the last module taught me.

I never realised the huge job the stem does, it is like the heart of the plant, a vascular system pumping (transporting) water and minerals up from the roots and sugars from photosynthesis down from the leaves - just like our hearts pumping our blood in and out. How amazing.

There are three main types of stem structure.

• Woody
• Herbaceous
• Monocotyledon

Herbs have soft and weak stems which mean they don't grow very tall and some only survive a single season.

Woody plants have strong and thick stems so they keep growing towards Ranginui, the sky. 

Fun Fact: The tallest tree in Aotearoa  is found in my little hometown of Ōtepoti, in the Orokonui Ecosanctuary. This rākau is a towering 80.5m tall and is a Eucalyptus Regnans a.ka Mountain Ash, an Australian gum tree. 

Our largest native rākau is the mighty Tāne Mahuta, a kauri tree, who is 51.2m tall and is found in Waipoua Forest.

Identifying tree rings or ring growth was on the schedule for this first part of the Stem module.

We only have firewood for cross section samples of tree. I always thought you counted every line to determine the age of the tree but you count the ring between these darker lines which show you how the tree has been during each full cycle of our annual seasons.

W was very keen to discover tree ages with me.

The external structures and functions were next. 

On the outside of stems, branches and trunks you should see leaf scars, lenticels and bud scale scars.

Lenticels are very cool, they are ruptures in the bark for gas exchanges between the internal living cells and the air around us. 

Buds are also located externally and are not all created equal, there are three types of buds.

Smaller buds are usually vegetative and they open to produce leaves and stems.

Reproductive buds which are larger and rounder that produce flowers and fruit; and mixed buds that produce both leaves and flowers e.g. apples & pears.

Knowing the difference with buds will be key down the track for pruning and if I wish to try my hand at propagation or grafting.

W and I went on a bud hunt to see what we could find, another hit for the toddler it was like a treasure hunt for her and we found an example of lenticels.