UNIT 2

PLANTS
Major characteristics of plants
• Plants are living things. Like other living things plants grow,reproduce and respond to changes
in the environment.
• Plants are multicellular. They are made up of many eukaryoticcells. These cells have well-
defined nuclei and membrane-boundorganelles. In addition to the cell membrane, plant cells have
arigidcell wall made primarily of cellulose.
• Plants are autotrophic (self–feeding). Plant cells contain the greenpigment chlorophyll which
enables them to absorb sunlight andproduce their own food. Thus, they are also named Producers.
• Plants are sessile. They cannot move by themselves. They remainfixed at one place, firmly
anchored to the soil by their root. However,the leaves of plants can turn towards light and some
respond totouch. The roots of plants can also orient towards water or moistsoil.
• Plants practice asexual and sexual reproduction patterns.
Inlower plants such as mosses and liverworts, asexual reproductionthrough spores is the dominant
form.
In higherand seed-bearing plants such as gymnosperms and angiosperms,sexual reproduction
which involves the union of gametes or sexcells is the dominant and visible form
Flowering and non – flowering plants
Lower plants, such as mosses and liverworts are non – vascular,i.e., do not have transporting system
or conducting vessels, essentialto transport water, nutrient and food needed for the plant.
The non –vascular plants are generally small with limited height and restrictedto moist and shaded
areas. These lower plants are seedless and donot have flowers and fruits.
Gymnosperms with well-developed root stem and leaves but have no flowers. Theirreproductive
organ is cone, instead of flowers. Moreover, the seedsproduced in their cone are without cover
(naked seeds).
Flowering plants, commonly known as Angiosperms, are also vascularwith well-developed root,
stem and leaves. But unlike gymnosperms,they have flowers and produce seeds within a fruit.
Structure and function of plant parts
Like any organism, plants have different structures which performa vital function essential for the
plant life. In this sub-topic, we willfocus on the external and internal structure of a flowering plant.
The external structure of a typicalangiosperm has two major systems.
The shoot system: This is the plant part usually found above theground and includes the organs such
as stem, branches, leaves, buds,flowers and fruits. The last two organs may be missing depending on
the reproductive stage of the plant.
The root system: This is the part of the plant that usually growsdownward into the ground. It
includes the primary or tap root, lateralor branch roots, root hairs and root cap. Roots are
distinguished froman underground stem in that; it does not bear either leaves or buds.
The external structure of a typical leaf consists of the petiole (leafstalk), lamina (blade – broadest
part), midrib, margin, base and tips
The lamina is the broadest part, which is flat, wideand commonly thin. It provides large surface
area, which enables leafto collect light. Its thinness creates short distance for gas exchangethrough
the stomata (tiny pores).
The midrib is harder and containsthe vein (transporting vessels) of the leaf as well as supportive
tissueswith hard cell wall.
Leaves of different plants show difference inabsence or presence of petiole, leaf shape (variation in
leaf margin,base and tips) and arrangement of veins.
With regard to root, there are basically two types of roots, namely tap-roots and fibrous roots
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A tap-root consists of one large, primary vertical root. It has veryfew lateral roots that develop and
grow from this main root. Bypenetrating deep into the soil, tap roots provide stability
(anchorage)and absorb water located deep in the ground.
 Tap root system is afeature of dicot plants.
A fibrous root is usually formed by thin, moderately branchingroots growing from stems. They are
more or less similar size andlength. In grasses they develop as consists of fine hair – like root that.
Spread out from the base of the stem.
 Fibrous root is very efficient forabsorbing water and minerals close to soil surface. It creates a
thicknetwork of roots that are good at holding soil together and protectsoil from erosion.
Fibrous roots are features of monocot plants.
The internal structure of a leaf
In this section, you will explore the internal structure or tissues of agreen leaf that made it best suited
for food synthesis. Components of the two internal layers of a leaf, namely; Outer layerand middle
(inner) layer.
A) Outer layer
This is also known as the epidermis, a single layer of tightly packedcells that covers the upper and
lower surface of the leaf. The upperepidermis is usually covered by a waxycuticle, which transmits
sunlight for photosynthesis but restricts water loss by evaporationfrom the leaf tissue.
The lower epidermis usually contains beanshapedguard cells that leave open spaces known as
stomata (singularstoma). Stomata are “little mouths” or “little noses”, which regulateO2 release,
CO2 intake and water loss.
 In most leaves, stomata aremore abundant in the lower epidermis, reducing water loss due to
direct sunlight.
B) Middle layer
This is known as the mesophyll (“middle leaf”) layer. It lies betweenthe upper and lower epidermis.
It includes tissues that are directly orindirectly involved in photosynthesis.
There are two regions in themesophyll layer
The palisade layer is composed of regularly arranged and closelypacked columnar (vertically
elongated) cells. The cells contain thelargest number of chloroplasts per cell. As the layer is
immediatelybeneath the upper epidermis, it is in the best position to capturemost of the sunlight and
this enables it to carry out most of thephotosynthesis. The slight but precise separation of the
columnarcells maximizes the diffusion of CO2 and capillary movement ofH20.
The spongylayer – lies below the palisade cells. Spongy cells areirregularly shaped with fewer
chloroplasts. They are very looselyarranged with numerous airspaces. These air spaces, which are
veryclose to the stomata allow the diffusion of O2, water vapour and CO2.
The detailed internal structure includesthe following fundamental tissue systems.
The epidermis is the outermost layer of the stem. The outer wallsare greatly thickened with cuticles,
which minimizes the rate oftranspiration. Moreover, the cells are compactly arranged, whichin
turn protect the underlying tissues from mechanical injuryandprevent the entry of harmful
organisms.Hypodermis lies below the epidermis. It is mainly composed ofcollenchyma cells that
are specially thickened at the corners due to thedeposition of thick cellulose. This enables the layer
to givemechanicalstrength to the stem.
Cortex consists of few layers of thin-walled, large, round, or ovalcells, having intercellular space
and serving for storage of food.
Endodermis is the innermost layer of the cortex that separates thecortex from the vascular bundles.
The cells are compactly arrangedand usually contain starch grains. Thus, the endodermis serves as a
food reserve and may be termed as a starch sheath.

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Vascular bundles are longitudinal strands of conducting tissues ortransporting vessels, consisting
essentially of xylem and phloemarranged in a ring around the central pith.
Each bundle has apatch of xylem towards the pith and a patch of phloem towards theendodermis and
a strip of actively dividing young cells (cambium) inbetween them.
Xylem transports water and dissolved minerals to thephotosynthetic tissues, mainly to the leaf while
phloem transportssynthesized food to different tissues, either for utilization or storage.
Pith – occupies the central portion of the stem, composed of thin walledcells, which are rounded or
polygonal, with or withoutintercellular space. It stores food and helps in the internal translocation
of water.
The internal structure of a root
The transverse section of the dicot root shows the following plan of arrangement of tissues from theperiphery
to the centre.
Peliferous layer is the outermost layer made up of single-layer cells. The cuticle is absent. It consists the
single-celled root hairs.
Cortex is a multi-layered large zone made of thin-walled oval or rounded loosely arranged cells with
intercellular spaces. It stores food and water.
Endodermis is the innermost layer of the cortex, made of barrel shaped closely packed cells. The layer helps
the movement of water and dissolved nutrients from the cortex into the xylem.
Pericycle is a single layer inner to endodermis. It is the site of origin of lateral roots.
Vascular bundles consist of xylem and phloem with meristematic (cambium) or actively dividing cells
between them.
Pith is present in young roots while absent in old roots.
Reproduction in plants
Reproductive structure and life cycle of non-floweringplants
In this section, you will learn the reproductive structure and life cycleof higher seed-bearing non–
flowering plants known as gymnosperms.These higher plants belong to a group of gymnosperms
known as conifers.
In this lesson, youwill learn the life cycle of gymnosperm, using the pine tree as atypical
representative of conifers as well as gymnosperms in general.The pine tree has male and
femalecones on one plant. Initially, pollen is transferred from the male cone tothe female cone. The
process is called pollination and occurs withthe help of wind. Following pollination, the pollen
completes its
germination and produces the male gamete inside the female cone.
The female gamete is also produced in the female cone. Here, themale and female gametes fuse
(unite) and form a zygote. This processis known as fertilization.
A zygote develops into a seed embryo inside the female cone. After the seed is matured, it is
liberated upon drying and opening of thefemale cone. Then the seed will be dispersed or scattered
away fromthe parent plant and germinates into a seedling (young pine plant)upon getting favorable
conditions. Finally, the young plant growsand develops in to mature plant with female and male
cones and thereproductive cycle of the pine tree is complete.
Reproductive structure and life cycle of flowering plants
A flower is the reproductive organ of angiosperms, plants with seedscovered by or contained in a
fruit.
A typical flower has four floral parts, namely Sepals, Petals, Stamen, and Pistil.
Sepals (calyx) – usually green leaf-like structure protecting thelower part of female and male parts
Petals (corolla) – mostly brightly coloured and attract pollinatingagents like insects
Stamen (Androecium) – is the male part, consisting of the filamentand bilobed anther
Pistil ( Gynoecium or carpel) – is the female part, consisting of theovary with ovules, style and
stigma.
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 Pollination
This is the transfer of pollen grains from the anther of a stamen tothe stigma of the pistil. The
transfer can be between stamen and pistilon one flower or between flowers on one plant (Self
Pollination)
orbetween two flowers on different plants (cross-pollination).
Pollination requires pollinating agents such as insects or wind. Thereis a strong relationship between
the nature of the flower and thepollinating agents.
Following pollination, a flowering plant passes through distinctstages described as follows
Pollen tube formation
Pollen grains landing on the stigma will form pollen tubes that growdown in the style and form the
male gamete as it approaches theovule.
Fertilization
This is the union of the male gamete and the female gamete, occurringin the ovule within the ovary.
As a result, a zygote that develops intoa seed embryo will be formed
Seed and fruit formation
Following fertilization and formation of seed embryo, the ovulematures into seed while the ovary
matures into a fruit. Thus seed is amatured ovule while the fruit is a matured ovary.
Seed dispersal
This is a mechanism of scattering seeds around or away from theparent plant. Seed dispersal like
pollination requires agents such asanimals or wind.
Seed dormancy /Seed germination
The fate of a seed landing at a certain place will be either dormancyor germination. A dormant seed
is inactive and waiting for thefavourable condition to start germination. If there is enough water
and nutrients the seed will break dormancy and the seed embryostarts to develop into a seedling
(Young and new plant). This processis called seedgermination.
Seeds
The seed (fertilized ovule) contains three parts: the seed embryo,cotyledon/endosperm (reserve food)
and seed coat. In Angiosperms,the seed is additionally covered by the fruit. Thus it is called covered
seed as opposed to the naked seed of gymnosperm. A naked seed hasnothing on except its own
seed coat.
The seed embryo, in turn, consists of the radicle (future root), epicotyl,hypocotyl and the plumule
(future shoot). Cotyledon andendosperm are food storing tissues, essential for the seed embryo
(future plant) until it forms leaf and starts manufacturing its ownfood. A seed of angiosperm may
have one cotyledon (monocot) ortwo cotyledons (dicot).

Differences between dicot and monocot seeds

Dicot seed Monocot seed

Two cotyledons are present in theembryo Only one cotyledon present

Cotyledons are fleshy and store food materials Cotyledon is very thin and lacks food materials
Endosperm is absent Endosperm is large and well developed

Primary root produced from the radicle bears Primary root formed from radical is replaced by
many lateral roots. adventitious fibrous roots

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 Seed dispersal and germination
Seed dispersal
Plants are sessile or fixed at one place. However, plants at their seedstage display long-distance
mobility and they do so with the helpof seed dispersal agents. Seed dispersal is an adaptive
mechanismof plants that ensures seed will be separated from the parent plantsdistributed over a large
area to safeguard the germination and survivalof the seeds to adult plants, thereby minimizing
overcrowding at oneplace.
Seeds can be dispersed by animals, wind or water. For instance, fleshy fruits that have seeds in
them can be ingested by birds and dueto hard seed coats, the seeds escape digestion and are dropped
at adistance upon defecation. Seeds that have additional hairy or wingedstructures can be dispersed
by wind or float in water and taken awayto a new habitat.
Gemination of seed
The life of a flowering plant starts with a tiny seed embryo that staysdormant until the essential
conditions for active growth are fulfilled.The resumption of active growth of the embryo after a
period ofdormancy is known as germination.
There are three essential conditions for seed germination.
Water (moisture)
Water is important for the germinating seed because the hydrationof the seed coat increases its
permeability to O2. Water is essentialfor the enzymatic hydrolysis of organic food and acts as an
agent oftransport in the translocation of soluble substances.
Oxygen (Aeration)
Oxygen is necessary for aerobic respiration by which the seeds getenergy for the growth of the
embryo.
Temperature (warmth)
Seeds require optimum temperature for germination.
seed germination covers all the processesthat occur from the time that seed embryo starts growth up
to theformation of young independent plant with photosynthetic leaves.Optimum moisture, air and
warmth activate the embryo to startgrowth. With more and more nourishment from the food storedin
cotyledon and endosperm, the tiny embryo grows more.
Theoutward sign of growth is a radicle that develops from the hypocotyl.It is the first to come out
of the seed and grow down to the soil as theprimary root. The root is essential for anchorage and
access to waterand nutrients from the soil. Meanwhile, the shoot that develops from the plumule
grows upward towards sunlight. Soon, a young plant(seedling) with photosynthetic leaf start
manufacturing its own food.
Photosynthesis
The leaves of green plants are the largest food factories on Earth. The product of leaves together
with the photosyntheticproductivity of algae provides food that supports nearly all life onearth.
Plants can prepare their own food by photosynthesis. Thusthey are called producers or autotrophs
(self-feeding). Besidesmaking food for them, plants produce excess food for the vastconsumers
known as heterotrophs (feeding on plants and on oneanother).
The basic source of energy that sustains life begins with sunlight.In turn, sunlight is absorbed by a
green pigment known aschlorophyll. Thus, it occurs in organisms bearing chlorophyllsuch as green
algae and higher plants, which enables them to trapsolar energy and transform it into chemical
energy. This process isknown as photosynthesis.
The photosynthetic apparatus
The mesophyll layer of the leaf contains the largest number of chloroplasts and isin the best position
to trap the maximum amount of solar energy.

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The internal structure of the chloroplast, which is termed as photosynthetic apparatushas two
distinct parts: Granum and Stroma.
i) Granum: consists of stacks of flattened sacks, each of which is calledthylakoid. The granum
contains the chlorophyll, enzymes and cofactorsthat participate in the light trapping phase of
photosynthesis.
 It is here that the light reaction takes place.
ii) Stroma: is a gel-like colour less matrix, which is a site for sugar (carbohydrate) synthesis through
carbon fixation. It is from the sugar produced in the stroma that is directly or indirectly converted to
allorganic compounds (including amino acids, proteins and lipids) virtually found in all organisms.
The light absorbing system in chloroplast
In this sub section you will learn the role of light absorbingpigments, mainly chlorophyll and
sunlight absorbed serves as agentof photochemical reaction in food synthesis (photosynthesis).
The chloroplast contains chlorophyll (particularly chlorophyll a andb) and other light absorbing
accessory pigments capable of absorbinglight at different wavelengths. The lightabsorbing pigments
of chloroplasts absorb most of the visible light,ranging from 400 – 700 nm. Maximum light
absorption occurs atwavelengths from 400 – 500 nm and 600 – 700 nm, blue and red light
respectively. Light ranging from 500 to 600nm that includes greenlight is not absorbed, it is rather
reflected. This is the reason whyleaves look green.
Mechanism of photosynthesis
Photosynthesis consists of a number of photochemical and enzymaticreactions. It is the sum total of
the following two sub reaction
1. Light reaction this is also known as the light dependent stage, ittakes place in the granum,
where the light absorbing system – mainlychlorophyll occurs. Here, the granum is organized as
Photosystems andElectron Transporting System. The photosystem consists ofchlorophyll that
absorbs sunlight maximally at blue and red range oflight spectrum. The light absorbed by the
chlorophyll will:
• split of water molecules (H2O) into H+ and O2. This is knownas photolysis.
 The O2 is released to the atmosphere through leafstomata.
• excite some electrons in the chlorophyll molecule to higherenergy level which pass down the ETS
and generate high energyATP molecule. The ATP and H+ harvested during light reactionwill be used
as an input in the stroma where conversion of CO2to carbohydrate takes place.
2. Dark reaction this is also known as light – independent stage,because it can occur in the
absence of light as long as there issufficient amount of H+ and ATP supplied from the light reaction.
The dark reaction and enzymatic reaction H+ indirectly combineswith CO2, in the stroma of
chloroplast. The process is known ascarbon fixation. Glucose (carbohydrate) is the immediate result
ofthe dark reaction.
The overall chemical reaction of photosynthesis can be summed upin the following equation
Chlorophyll
6CO2 + 6H20 C6H12O6 + 6O2
Sunlight
Testing a leaf for starch
A simple way of demonstrating food synthesis in leaves is testing aleaf for starch. You can easily see
the effect of iodine on starch, ifyou put iodine solution on powdered starch, piece of bread or
potatoslice a blue-black colour will develop confirming the presence ofstarch. However, the cuticle
of the leaf is impermeable to iodine. Moreover, the leaf has green pigment chlorophyll that interferes
with the colouring effect of iodine.

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 Transport in plant
Transporting systems in plants
Higher plants have a green leaf that is capable of photosynthesis. They also have transporting tissues
calledxylem and phloem. They are collectively knownas vascular bundles.
 Water and minerals are transported from theroot to the leaf via the stem through conducting
vessel known asxylem, which consists of elongated dead cells, joined end to end to form
continuous vessels.
 Organic matter (food) manufactured in the leaf is transported to the rest of as opposed to
xylem, phloem consists of living cells arranged end to end and allowstransport of food (sucrose and
amino acids) up and down the plant.This is called translocation. In general, it happens between
wherethese substances are made (Sources) and where they are used orstored (the sinks).
Do you know why the stem of sugar cane or stem tuber of sweetpotato is so sweet? Sugars
synthesized in the leaf is converted tostarch and accumulated in the storage organs of plants, such
as rootand stem tubers, leaves, seeds and fruits of a plant. We, human beingstake advantage of
food in these storage organs. Starch from plants isa good source of energy that we need in our diet.
Mechanism of transport in plant
i. Uptake of water and minerals
Water from the soil first enters the root through root hairs. Theseare elongated single cells that
provide a large surface area allowingmore water to enter into the root.
Minerals also enter the roottogether with the water. This process is known as absorption.
Waterentering the root passes from cell to cell either by osmosis acrossthe cell membrane and
cytoplasm or freely flow by diffusion alongthe porous cell wall. Thus, water passes passively
(without spendingadditional energy from the cell) across the root cells and reaches theroot xylem.
Water in the root xylem is pulled upward passively by transpirationpull. This is pulling force
caused by transpiration; it is the mainforce responsible for the water passing all the way from the
root tothe leaves through the xylem vessel. During transpiration water thatevaporates from the leaves
serve as a mechanism to pull or drag waterfrom the root.
Minerals enter the root in the ionic (charged) form either passivelyor actively. They are taken
actively (cell spends energy) whenconcentration is higher in plant cell than outside the cell and,
therefore accumulation of salts or their ions occur as a result of activetransport against a
concentration gradient.
ii. Translocation of organic matter (food)
Translocation in plants is a shift or transport of food from the siteof synthesis (source), which is the
leaf, to the site of utilization orstorage (sink), which can be either the stem or the root. Translocation
occurs through the phloem, which is made up of living cells. It is anactive transport, where the living
phloem cells use energy obtainedby metabolic process.
The ringing or girdling experiment helpsto identify the food conducting vessels. The experiment
involvesremoving the ring of bark with the phloem and the plant is placed ina beaker of water.
Xylem will be the only vessel in the girdled area,which connects the upper and lower part of the
plant. After few days,a swelling will be observed in the upper girdle. This is due to theaccumulation
of food materials, mainly sugar which was translocated from the photosynthesizing leaf towards the
root. The sugar can besucked with syringe or using aphids and can be confirmed with foodtest.
Aphids are soft – bodied insects that use piercing and suckingmouth parts to feed on phloem sap.
Ringing will ultimately kill the plant, because of disruption of food transport through the phloem.
The root dies first, because supply offood to the root will be discontinued. As the root dies, the upper
partand finally the whole plant, which depends on root for water andminerals, will die.

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 Response in plants
Tropism as growth response
Plants like other living things share basic characteristics. One of their important characteristics is
to respond to stimuli, that is, changes in the environment. In thissection, you will learn mainly
tropism, how plants respond to light(phototropism), water (hydrotropism) and gravity
(geotropism).
Thus, we will deal with these three common and useful tropisms.
Tropism is bending towards (positive response) or opposite (negativeresponse) to the direction of
the stimulus. The cause of the responseis a unilateral stimulus (coming from one side only), which
causesunequal production or distribution of growth hormone resultingin unequal growth. This means
one side grows more or less thanthe other side and these results in bending towards or away fromthe
stimulus. Tropism is exhibited by the shoot and root of a plantdue to unequal concentration of
growth hormone, commonly auxin, resulting in unequal growth. Auxin, particularly Indole Acetic
Acid (IAA), is plant growthhormone. It is produced at the tips of shoot and root. It is transportedto
the region of active growth and affects cell elongation, Shoot androots respond differently to
different auxin concentration. Shoots and roots respond differently tounilateral ( one sided) stimulus.
Auxin concentration that promotes shoot growth ( 10 -2 to 101 ppm)inhibits root growth . It also
shows that root requires minimum auxin concentration, which is about 10 -4 ppm and such
concentrationhas no effect on the shoot growth.
As a result of unilateral light, auxin move from illuminated side to shaded side of shoot and root. In
shoot higher auxin concentration on the shaded side causes more growth by cellelongation than the
illuminated side. As a result, the shoot bendstowards light. In the meantime, more auxin on the
shaded part ofthe root inhibits cell elongation as compared to the illuminated side.Thus, root bends
away from light.
Phototropism
Plants need sunlight for photosynthesis. Phototropism is a plant response to light, mainly exhibited
by the shoot. The tips of the plant shoot bend towards the side where there is sunlight. Thus shoot is
positively phototropic.
Hydrotropism
The survival of terrestrial plants depends upon the capacity of rootsto obtain water and nutrients
from the soil. Roots search for and growtoward water because it is needed for photosynthesis and to
supportcell structure (make them turgid and strong). Thus, hydrotropismexhibited by root is
biologically important and vital for the survivalof plants.
Geotropism
You have learned that the seed embryo that develops into a seedlingwill form root from the radicle
and shoot from the plumule. Themost fascinating phenomena are how the seedling (young plant)
stands erect. This is the result of a response to gravity,known as geotropism. The root progressively
bends downward whilethe shoot bends upward until root–shoot system orient itself in anupright
(standing position), when there is a uniform effect of gravity.A horizontally placed seedling
respondsto gravity in that its root is positively geotropic (grow downward ortowards gravity) and
shoot is negatively geotropic (grow upward oragainst gravity).
 The effect of gravity in a horizontally placed seedling can beovercome by a clinostat, which is
a rotating instrument.
 A seedlingfixed horizontally in a rotating clinostat grows straight,because the rotation
overcome (gravity acts equally for all sides) theeffect of gravity. You can see the effect of
rotation by using anotherseedling fixed to the clinostat but not rotated as a control.

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 Medicinal plants
plants synthesize a variety of organic products that have food value. But, plants also produce other
organic products that have ornamental, commercial and medicinal values. Here, we will focus on the
medicinal plants that play a vital role in treating diseases and fighting infections. Globally, more
than 60 % of the total world population depends on traditional or locally available plant medicines
for their health care. (According to World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 3.5 billion people in
developing countries including Ethiopia believe in the efficiency of plant medicines and widely use
them to overcome their health problems. The list of some Ethiopian medicinal plants, parts used,
mode of administration and some examples of human diseases treated are presented in the following
table
Scientific name Local name Habit Plant part Route of Disease treated
N ( Amharic) used administra
o. tion

1 Ruta chalepensis Teenadem Herb Leaf Oral Abdominal pain

2. Zingiber officinalis Jinjibil Herb Rhizome Oral Tonsilitis, abdominal pain,
(underground cough
stem)
3 Hageniaabysinica Ye–kossoZaf Tree Female Oral Tapeworm
flower
(Seed)

4 Artemesiaabsinthium Aritii Herb Leaf Oral Unexplained stomach ache

(Megagna)

5 Niglella sativa TikurAzmud Herb Seed Oral Intestinal parasites

6 Ocimumlamifolium Damakesse Shrub Leaf Nasal Headache, General body
illness ( Mich)

7. Rosmarinusofficinalis Rosmery Herb Leaf Oral Bronchial asthma.

Prostate disorder
inflammatory diseases

8 Cymbopogenciratus Tejsar Herb/ Leaf Oral Used for stomach complaint

Grass

9 Aliumsativum Nechshinkurt Herb bulb Oral Abdominal pain, toothache,

tonsillitis, common cold

10 Eucalyptus golbulus Nech– Tree Leaf Nasal Common cold, fever

Bahirzaf with
headache

11 Curcurbitapepo Dubba Herb Seed Oral Tapeworm

12 Trigonella Abish Herb Seed Oral Mixed with garlic to treat
foenumgraecum asthma , used to treat
gastritis

13 Ocimumbasilicum Besobilla Herb Leaf Oral Abdominal pain

14 Lepidiumsativum Feto Herb Seed Oral Treatment of diarrhea

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 Renowned Ethiopian Botanist
Sebsebe Demissew is a professor of Plant systematics and Biodiversity at Addis Ababa University
and Executive Director of the Gullele Botanic Garden in Addis Ababa. He was awarded the
Kew international medal in 2016. Professor Sebsebe Demissew, a leading Ethiopian botanical
scientist, has been elected as a Foreign Member of the Royal Society in London in 2018 for his
lifelong work on promoting Ethiopian biodiversity. He is the first Sub – Saharan African scientist to
be elected in the Society’s 357 – year history. In 2021, Professor Sebsebe was awarded the
“Cuatrcases Medal” for Excellence in Tropical Botany by the Smitheonian National Museum
of Natural History “, USA, for his lifetime works in conserving and recording the very diverse
Ethiopian flora with many endemic species and leadership of the Ethiopian flora project and the
Ethiopian National Herbarium at Addis Ababa University.

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