Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v3 - Senior Secondary 2
Common Types of Ornamental Plants each type
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Common Types of Ornamental Plants each type
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Nigeria 2025 app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Agricultural Science
Class: Senior Secondary 2
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 1
Theme: Ornamental Plants
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Mention or namental plants used for different purposes. Identify or namental plants belonging to each category.
Definition of Ornamental Plants: Ornamental plants are plants grown primarily for aesthetic purposes, such as beautifying gardens, landscapes, homes, and public spaces, rather than for food, fibre, or timber. They are valued for their flowers, foliage, form, fragrance, and overall visual appeal.
Categories of Ornamental Plants: Ornamental plants can be broadly classified based on various characteristics, including their growth habit, lifespan, and primary attractive feature. The following categories are commonly recognized and relevant to Nigerian contexts:
1. Ornamental Trees: These are large, woody plants with a single main stem (trunk) that branches out, providing shade, height, and structure to a landscape.
Examples in Nigeria: Flamboyant Tree ( _Delonix regia_ ): Known for its spectacular bright red-orange flowers during the dry season, making it a popular street and park tree. Provides excellent shade. Jacaranda ( _Jacaranda mimosifolia_ ): Features beautiful purple, trumpet-shaped flowers in clusters, often planted along avenues for its stunning floral display. Neem Tree ( _Azadirachta indica_ ): While known for medicinal properties, its dense, evergreen foliage makes it an excellent shade tree and windbreak in many Nigerian homes and farms. Indian Almond ( _Terminalia catappa_ ): A common shade tree, often found in coastal areas, with large, attractive leaves that turn reddish before falling.
2. Ornamental Shrubs: These are woody plants smaller than trees, typically multi-stemmed from the base, and providing structure, hedges, or accent planting.
Examples in Nigeria: Ixora ( _Ixora coccinea_ ): A very popular flowering shrub with clusters of small, brightly coloured flowers (red, orange, pink, white). Commonly used for hedges, borders, and specimen planting. Hibiscus ( _Hibiscus rosa-sinensis_ ): Features large, showy, trumpet-shaped flowers in various colours (red, pink, yellow, white). Often used as a standalone shrub or for informal hedges. Croton ( _Codiaeum variegatum_ ): Highly valued for its strikingly colourful leaves, which come in combinations of green, yellow, orange, red, and purple. Used for hedges, borders, and potted plants. Duranta ( _Duranta erecta_ ): A fast-growing shrub with small purple or white flowers and golden-orange berries. Excellent for formal hedges and topiary.
3. Climbers/Vines: Plants that grow by twining, clambering, or rooting along a surface, used to cover walls, pergolas, fences, or trellises.
Examples in Nigeria: Bougainvillea ( _Bougainvillea spectabilis/glabra_ ): Famous for its vibrant, papery bracts (often mistaken for flowers) in shades of pink, purple, red, orange, and white. Very robust and drought-tolerant, ideal for covering walls and arbours. Allamanda ( _Allamanda cathartica_ ): Produces bright yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers. Can be grown as a sprawling shrub or trained as a climber. Morning Glory ( _Ipomoea spp._ ): Fast-growing with heart-shaped leaves and showy, trumpet-shaped flowers that typically open in the morning.
4. Creepers/Ground Covers: Low-growing plants that spread horizontally, often used to cover bare ground, control erosion, or as lawn alternatives.
Examples in Nigeria: Railway Creeper ( _Ipomoea pes-caprae_ or similar _Ipomoea spp._ ): A very vigorous ground cover often seen along roadsides and open fields, with attractive green leaves and purple/pink trumpet flowers.
Mimosa pudica (Touch-me-not): A sensitive plant whose leaves fold inward upon touch. Forms a low mat and has small, fluffy pink flowers. Can be used as a unique ground cover. Wandering Jew ( _Tradescantia zebrina_ ): Known for its striking purple and green striped leaves. Spreads rapidly, making it excellent for covering small areas or hanging baskets.
5. Annuals: Plants that complete their entire life cycle (from seed to flower to seed) within one growing season, typically less than a year. They provide seasonal bursts of colour.
Examples in Nigeria: Marigold ( _Tagetes spp._ ): Very popular for its cheerful yellow, orange, and red flowers. Easy to grow from seed and provides continuous blooms. Zinnia ( _Zinnia elegans_ ): Produces vibrant, long-lasting flowers in a wide range of colours and forms. Excellent for cutting and garden beds. Celosia ( _Celosia argentea_ ): Known for its unique feathery or cockscomb-like flowers in bright colours.
6. Perennials (Herbaceous): Plants that live for more than two years, typically dying back to the ground in bursts of colour.
Examples in Nigeria: Marigold ( _Tagetes spp._ ): Very popular for its cheerful yellow, orange, and red flowers. Easy to grow from seed and provides continuous blooms. Zinnia ( _Zinnia elegans_ ): Produces vibrant, long-lasting flowers in a wide range of colours and forms. Excellent for cutting and garden beds. Celosia ( _Celosia argentea_ ): Known for its unique feathery or cockscomb-like flowers in bright colours.
6. Perennials (Herbaceous): Plants that live for more than two years, typically dying back to the ground in unfavourable conditions (e.g., dry season) and regrowing from their rootstock. They provide consistent beauty year after year.
Examples in Nigeria: Canna Lily ( _Canna indica_ ): Features large, paddle-shaped leaves and showy, often red, orange, or yellow flowers. Tolerant of various conditions. Rose ( _Rosa spp._ ): A classic ornamental plant, cherished for its beautiful, often fragrant flowers. Many varieties thrive in Nigeria with proper care. Peace Lily ( _Spathiphyllum spp._ ): Valued for its elegant white, flag-like flowers (spathes) and glossy green leaves. Often grown in shaded garden spots or indoors.
7. Foliage Plants: Plants primarily grown for the attractive appearance of their leaves, which may be colourful, uniquely shaped, or textured.
Examples in Nigeria: Coleus ( _Plectranthus scutellarioides_ ): Highly prized for its incredibly diverse and colourful leaf patterns, blending shades of green, red, yellow, pink, and purple. Used for borders, containers, and shaded areas. Caladium ( _Caladium bicolor_ ): Features striking, heart-shaped or arrow-shaped leaves with intricate patterns of red, pink, white, and green. Prefers shade. (Reiteration) Croton ( _Codiaeum variegatum_ ): While a shrub, its primary ornamental value is its variegated foliage, making it a prime example of a foliage plant.
8. Succulents and Cacti: Plants adapted to arid conditions, storing water in their fleshy stems or leaves. They are low-maintenance and have unique forms.
Examples in Nigeria: Aloe Vera ( _Aloe barbadensis miller_ ): Fleshy, spiky leaves, known for medicinal uses, but also highly ornamental in rock gardens and pots. Various Cacti (e.g., _Opuntia spp._ ): Many types are found, characterized by spines and unique growth forms, ideal for drought-tolerant landscapes. Kalanchoe ( _Kalanchoe blossfeldiana_ ): Small, fleshy-leaved plants with clusters of colourful flowers, popular for container gardening.
9. Ferns: Non-flowering plants that reproduce by spores, valued for their delicate, feathery fronds and ability to thrive in shaded, moist environments.
Examples in Nigeria: Boston Fern ( _Nephrolepis exaltata_ ): A very common fern with arching, lacy fronds, often grown in hanging baskets or as ground cover in shaded areas. Maidenhair Fern ( _Adiantum spp._ ): Known for its delicate, fan-shaped leaflets and black wiry stems, preferring high humidity and shade.
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0. Aquatic Plants: Plants that grow in water, adding beauty to ponds, water features, and containers.
Examples in Nigeria: Water Lily ( _Nymphaea spp._ ): Features floating round leaves and beautiful, often fragrant, flowers that emerge from the water. * Lotus ( _Nelumbo nucifera_ ): Large, striking leaves and elegant, multi-petaled flowers held above the water surface.
Teacher Activities: Introduction (10 minutes): Initiate a discussion by asking students to name plants they see around their homes or school that are not grown for food. Guide them to understand the concept of ornamental plants and their general importance (beautification, shade, erosion control). State the lesson objectives clearly. Categorization and Explanation (40 minutes): Present the various categories of ornamental plants (Trees, Shrubs, Climbers, Ground Covers, Annuals, Perennials, Foliage Plants, Succulents, Ferns, Aquatics). For each category, explain its defining characteristics using clear language. Introduce specific Nigerian examples for each category, showing actual plant specimens (if available from the school compound or brought in), pictures, or drawings. Describe the key features (e.g., flower colour, leaf type, growth habit) and common uses of each example. Encourage students to identify these plants in their environment.
Interactive Session (15 minutes): Display a collection of pictures of various ornamental plants. Ask students to identify them and classify them into the correct categories, justifying their answers. Facilitate a class discussion on the ornamental plants most commonly found in their local area and their specific uses.
Activity Guidance (5 minutes): Divide students into small groups. Assign each group 2-3 categories of ornamental plants. Instruct them to list additional examples from their knowledge or surroundings for each category and describe one plant in detail.
Student Activities: Participate actively in the introductory discussion, naming ornamental plants they know. Listen attentively to the teacher's explanations of each category and plant examples. Observe plant specimens, pictures, or drawings and actively participate in identifying and classifying them. Engage in the interactive session, asking questions and contributing to discussions. Work in groups to identify and describe additional ornamental plants within assigned categories. Take notes on key definitions, categories, and examples.
Question 1: List three distinct purposes for which ornamental plants are commonly used in Nigerian homes and public spaces.
Solution: Beautification/Aesthetics: Enhancing the visual appeal of gardens, homes, offices, and public parks.
Shade and Shelter: Large ornamental trees provide shade, cooling the environment, and can act as windbreaks.
Erosion Control: Ground covers and shrubs help to bind soil, preventing erosion on slopes or bare land.
Privacy and Security: Hedges formed by shrubs can create boundaries, offer privacy, and deter intruders.
Environmental Improvement: Contributing to air purification, oxygen production, and attracting beneficial insects/birds.
Commentary: This question directly addresses Performance Objective
1. Students should be able to recall the diverse utility of these plants beyond mere looks.
Question 2: Identify the category of ornamental plants to which each of the following belongs, and state one distinguishing feature for each: a) Bougainvillea b)
Croton c)
Marigold Solution: a)
Bougainvillea: Category: Climber/Vine Distinguishing Feature: Known for its vibrant, papery bracts (often mistaken for flowers) and thorny stems, typically grown on supports or walls. b)
Croton: Category: Ornamental Shrub / Foliage Plant Distinguishing Feature: Prized for its strikingly colourful and variegated leaves in various shades of green, red, yellow, and orange. c)
Marigold: Category: Annual Distinguishing Feature: Completes its life cycle within one growing season, producing yellow, orange, or red flowers, and is typically grown from seed annually for seasonal colour.
Commentary: This question assesses the ability to identify plants and categorize them based on their observable traits, aligning with Performance Objective
2. Question 3: From the categories of Ornamental Trees and Herbaceous Perennials, describe one specific plant for each, mentioning its key features and a typical use in Nigeria.
Solution: a)
Ornamental Tree: Flamboyant Tree ( _Delonix regia_ )
Key Features: Large, spreading deciduous tree; bears spectacular bright red-orange flowers in large clusters during the dry season (around April-July); has fern-like bipinnate leaves.
Typical Use in Nigeria: Widely planted as a shade tree in parks, along avenues, and in large compounds for its stunning visual display during flowering. b)
Herbaceous Perennial: Canna Lily ( _Canna indica_ )
Key Features: Features large, broad, paddle-shaped leaves that can be green or bronze; produces showy flowers, typically red, orange, or yellow, often with speckles; grows from rhizomes.
Typical Use in Nigeria: Commonly used in garden beds for bold tropical accents, along pathways, or in large pots due to its vibrant foliage and flowers that provide consistent beauty over several seasons.
Commentary: This question tests the depth of understanding of specific plants within categories and their applications, satisfying Performance Objective 3 and linking to the evaluation guide.
Horticulture and Landscaping Careers: Students can understand the potential for careers in ornamental horticulture, nursery management, floristry, and landscape design. This knowledge is crucial for individuals who wish to establish businesses supplying ornamental plants or providing landscaping services for homes, corporate bodies, and public spaces in Nigeria. Environmental Management and Urban Planning: Ornamental plants play a vital role in addressing environmental challenges in Nigerian cities. For instance, planting trees like Neem or Flamboyant provides shade, reduces urban heat island effect, and improves air quality. Ground covers are essential for preventing soil erosion, especially in areas with heavy rainfall or exposed slopes (e.g., along roadsides, construction sites). This integrates with environmental studies and civic responsibility.
Property Value and Aesthetics: Understanding ornamental plants enables individuals to enhance the aesthetic appeal and value of their homes and properties. A well-designed garden with appropriate ornamental plants can significantly increase curb appeal and property market value, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among students for home improvement or real estate.