Raunkiaers classification

Modified Raunkiaer classification

Raunkiaers classification is a
system published by Christen Phanerophyte
Raunkiaer in 1934 to describe Chamaephyte
plant life forms.
Hemicryptophyte

It is based on the location of the Cryptophyte

buds on the plant and the way the Geophyte
resting bud survives periods of Helophyte
adverse conditions like cold or Hydrophyte
drought. Therophyte
Epiphyte
It is a useful way to relate plant
and environmental interactions. Aerophyte

Back to plant Next Back to vegetative

growth form menu parts main menu
Main menu
 Raunkiaers classification

Phanerophytes are the woody

perennials (trees and shrubs).
The resting buds are > 0.5 m
above ground.

Phanerophytes have been further

subdivided based on the size of
the plants into
megaphanerophytes,
mesophanerophytes and
nanophanerophytes.

Additional modification to this

class recognizes differences in
deciduous and evergreen species. Magnolia

Back to plant Back Next Back to vegetative

growth form menu parts main menu
Main menu
 Raunkiaers classification
Chamaephytes are woody
perennials with the resting
bud < 0.5 m above the ground.

These include small shrubs.

Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) and Vaccinium are chamaephytes.

Back to plant Back Next Back to vegetative

growth form menu parts main menu
Main menu
 Raunkiaers classification

Hemicryptophytes are herbaceous

perennial plants with the resting
bud at or near the soil line.

Drabra Grasses, clover and dandelion are

all hemicryptophytes.
Back to plant Back Next Back to vegetative
growth form menu parts main menu
Main menu
 Raunkiaers classification

Cryptophytes are
perennial plants where
the resting bud is below
ground including those
below water.

Cryptophytes can be
further subdivided into Hyacinth Tulip
geophytes, helophytes Flowering onion
and hydrophytes.

Daffodil Iris

Back to plant Back Next Back to vegetative

growth form menu parts main menu
Main menu
 Raunkiaers classification
Cryptophyte

Geophytes have roots or shoots

that are modified as storage
organs.

Geophytes include bulbs, corms,

rhizomes, tubers, tuberous
shoots, and tuberous roots.
Bulb Corm

Rhizome Tuber Tuberous stem Tuberous root

Back to plant Back Next Back to vegetative
growth form menu parts main menu
Main menu
 Raunkiaers classification
Cryptophyte

Helophytes are those plants that grow

in wet soils. The resting bud is below
ground in the wet soil.

Marsh marigold (Caltha) Cattail (Typha)

Back to plant Back Next Back to vegetative

growth form menu parts main menu
Main menu
 Raunkiaers classification
Cryptophyte

Hydrophytes grow in water and resting

bud overwinters below the surface of the
water often in the lake bed floor.

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) Waterlily (Nymphaea)

Back to plant Back Next Back to vegetative

growth form menu parts main menu
Main menu
 Raunkiaers classification

Therophytes are those

plants that survive adverse
climatic conditions as seeds.

These include all of the

annual plants.

Back to plant Back Next Back to vegetative

growth form menu parts main menu
Main menu
 Raunkiaers classification

An epiphyte is a plant that grows on

another plant, but does not derive
water or nutrients from the
association.

Epiphytic vascular plants occur

most often in the moist tropics and
include ferns, aroids, orchids,
bromeliads, peperomias, and cactus.

Non-vascular epiphytes include

mosses and lichens.

Back to plant Back Next Back to vegetative

growth form menu parts main menu
Main menu
 Raunkiaers classification
Aerophytes are epiphytes, but they
have no functional roots and absorb
moisture and nutrients through their
leaves.

A good example of this type of plant

is Tillandsia.

Tillandsia cyanea) Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides)

Back to plant Back Back to vegetative

growth form menu parts main menu
Main menu