PlantStudio Parameter Hints

NOTE: We In PlantStudio 2.0 we added these hints to the PlantStudio help file, so it's not really necessary to keep them here. You can still look at these if you want to see what the parameters are like before you download and use PlantStudio, but they are out of date.

The little hints that pop up when you pause your mouse over the parameters in PlantStudio can be helpful -- but they keep running away! Here is a list of all of them you can print out.

General: Drawing

Number of segments to draw to create curved line: The number of segments to divide each line on the plant (internodes, inflorescence segments, leaf petioles) in order to make the line look curved. Three segments makes a fairly smooth-looking curve.

Random sway in drawing angles: An index (from 0 to 100) of the amount of random 3D variation to use in all drawing angles for the plant.

General: Growth

Age at maturity: Age when the plant is fully mature.

Growth curve: Fraction of maximum plant biomass (Y) for a given plant age (X). Plants tend to grow in an s-curve fashion, so simulated plant growth follows this curve.

Age at which flowering starts: Age when flowering starts.

Fraction of total plant biomass at maturity in reproductive structures: Fraction of total plant biomass at maturity in reproductive structures.

Plant has both male and female flowers: If 'yes', this plant has separate male and female flowers. Cucumber and corn are examples: the fruits form out of the female flowers, and the male flowers are very small. If 'no', flowers are 'perfect', which means each flower has both male and female parts.

Plant is dicotyledonous (has two seedling leaves): This plant belongs to a subclass of angiosperms called dicots which have two seedling leaves (cotyledons) and net-like leaf veins. Monocots have one seedling leaf and parallel leaf veins. Grasses and grains are monocots; most other angiosperms are dicots.

Number of apical (terminal) inflorescences: The number of inflorescences on this plant at the end (apex) of branches. This number of inflorescences develops from the plant's apical meristems no matter the reproductive allocation.

Number of axillary inflorescences: The number of inflorescences on this plant found in the leaf axils of the plant's stems. This number of inflorescences develops from the plant's axillary meristems no matter the reproductive allocation.

Phyllotactic rotation angle: The angle between successive leaves on the plant stem. In most plants this angle is either 137 degrees or 180 degrees.

Starting seed for random number generator: Starting seed for random number generator

Meristems: Drawing

Axillary meristem and leaf arrangement: If 'alternate', creation of leaves and axillary (side) meristems on any stem is alternate (one to the left, one to the right, etc). If 'opposite', leaves and axillary meristems are opposite (in pairs). Whorled leaves/meristems (more than two) are not simulated here.

Meristem 3D object: The 3D object used to draw meristems.

Meristem 3D object scale at full size: The scale for the 3D object used to draw meristems. On most plants you will not want to see meristems, so you will set this parameter to zero.

Meristem 3D object X rotation before drawing: Just before this 3D object is drawn, it will be rotated in the X dimension by this amount. Normally you will leave this at zero, but you might need to set it differently if you have imported 3D objects from DXF files.

Meristem 3D object Y rotation before drawing: Just before this 3D object is drawn, it will be rotated in the Y dimension by this amount. Normally you will leave this at zero, but you might need to set it differently if you have imported 3D objects from DXF files.

Meristem 3D object Z rotation before drawing: Just before this 3D object is drawn, it will be rotated in the Z dimension by this amount. Normally you will leave this at zero, but you might need to set it differently if you have imported 3D objects from DXF files.

Meristem back face color: The back face (facing out) color for the 3D object used to draw meristems.

Meristem front face color: The front face (facing in) color for the 3D object used to draw meristems.

Meristems: Branching

Branching index: The probability (as a percent) that any axillary (side) meristem (bud) will create a new vegetative branch on any day *if* it is far enough away from the apical (terminal) meristem to be outside the range of apical dominance.

Apical dominance strength (as node distance): The distance (number of stem internodes) an axillary (side) meristem (bud) must be from the apical (terminal) meristem before it can consider creating a side branch. In real plants a more subtle hormone gradient prevents the development of axillary buds.

Secondary branching (branches off branches): If 'yes', secondary (and tertiary, etc) branching is allowed, which means that branches can have branches in turn. If 'no', only the primary stem (main stalk) can have branches.

Sympodial branching: If 'yes', each apical meristem creates only one internode, and an axillary meristem on that internode develops to create the next 'main' stem. Tomato plants grow this way. If 'no', growth is monopodial: each apical meristem creates a series of internodes.

Branching angle: The angle made by a new branch.

Probability each meristem will become reproductive when it gets flowering signal: When a determinate plant enters the reproductive phase all meristems are dedicated to reproduction, so this probability is 1.0. In an indeterminate plant some meristems continue to produce vegetative parts, and this probability is between zero and one.

Internodes: Drawing

Internode color: The color of the internodes of this plant. (Note that back face color for internodes is ignored.)

Curving index for first internode: A parameter between 0 and 100 that determines how much the first internode curves. This determines how upright or bent over the plant is.

Curving index for all internodes but first: A parameter between 0 and 100 that determines how much stems curve around as they grow. A corn plant would have a curving index of zero; a cucumber plant would have a larger curving index.

Internodes: Size

Optimal final biomass (as percent of maximum plant biomass): The biomass (dry weight) of a complete or best internode.

Length at optimal biomass: The length of an internode of this plant when the internode has the optimal internode biomass and when it has expanded to its full size from water uptake.

Width at optimal biomass: The width of an internode of this plant when the internode has the optimal internode biomass and when it has expanded to its full size from water uptake.

Internodes: Creation and growth

Minimum days for meristem to create: The shortest number of days in which a vegetative meristem can create an internode, no matter how much biomass is available. This simulates physical limitations on the rate of growth.

Maximum days for meristem to create: The number of days a vegetative meristem will accumulate biomass towards creation of an internode before it gives up and creates the internode. This simulates the plant's concentration of resources on newer meristems.

Minimum fraction of optimal biomass needed to create: The smallest fraction of the optimal (best) amount of internode biomass that must be accumulated before a vegetative meristem can create an internode.

Can recover from stunting at creation: If 'yes', the internode attempts to grow after it has been created to achieve the optimal biomass for an internode. If 'no', internodes can never grow in biomass after they are created (though they can expand through water uptake).

Internodes: Timing

Minimum days to grow: The shortest number of days in which an internode can grow to the optimal internode biomass, no matter how much biomass is available. This simulates physical limitations on the rate of growth.

Maximum days to grow: The number of days an internode will accumulate biomass towards the optimal internode biomass before it gives up and stops growing. This simulates the plant's concentration of resources on newer plant parts.

Internodes: Bolting

Length increase due to bolting, multiplier: The number of times longer internodes become because of bolting. This occurs mainly in plants that flower in the second year such as carrots.

Days to bolt: The number of days it takes an internode to reach its full bolted length.

Leaves: Drawing

Leaf 3D object: The 3D object used to draw leaves

Leaf 3D object scale at optimal leaf biomass: The scale for the 3D object used to draw leaves when the leaf is full-sized.

Leaf 3D object X rotation before drawing: Just before this 3D object is drawn, it will be rotated in the X dimension by this amount. For leaves, this will normally be either 90 degrees or -90 degrees. Normally you will leave this at 90 or -90, but you might need to set it differently if you have imported 3D objects from DXF files.

Leaf 3D object Y rotation before drawing: Just before this 3D object is drawn, it will be rotated in the Y dimension by this amount. Normally you will leave this at zero, but you might need to set it differently if you have imported 3D objects from DXF files.

Leaf 3D object Z rotation before drawing: Just before this 3D object is drawn, it will be rotated in the Z dimension by this amount. Normally you will leave this at zero, but you might need to set it differently if you have imported 3D objects from DXF files.

Leaf front face color: The front face (facing up) color for leaves on this plant.

Leaf back face color: The back face (facing down) color for leaves on this plant.

Petiole color: The color of the leaf petioles (stalks) on this plant.

Angle between stem and petiole: The angle between the main stem and the leaf petiole (stalk).

Leaves: Compound leaves

If compound, number of leaflets: If this plant has compound leaves, this is the number of leaflets per leaf. If this plant does not have compound leaves, this number is zero. Note that drawing speed decreases with the number of leaflets on each compound leaf.

If compound, shape: If this plant has compound leaves, this is how the leaflets are arranged within each compound leaf. If 'pinnate', compound leaves are arranged like the barbs on a feather. If 'palmate', compound leaves are arranged like the fingers on a hand.

If compound, spread index: If this plant has compound leaves, this is an index of how spread out the compound leaves are within the leaf stalk. The higher the number the greater the spread.

If compound, bend angle at start: If this plant has compound leaves, this is the angle to bend the compound leaf between each leaflet when the leaf is first formed. A greater angle here can form an emerging leaf like a fiddlehead.

If compound, bend angle at full size: If this plant has compound leaves, this is the angle to bend the compound leaf between each leaflet when the leaf is at full size.

Leaves: Size

Petiole length when leaf has optimal biomass: The length of the leaf petiole when the leaf has accumulated the optimal (best) amount of biomass for a leaf.

Petiole width when leaf has optimal biomass: The width of the leaf petiole when the leaf has accumulated the optimal (best) amount of biomass for a leaf.

Petiole taper index (taper to % of width): How much to taper the leaf petiole's width as it reaches the leaf 3D object. For no tapering, choose 100% of initial width (the default). To taper the petiole, choose a lower percentage.

Leaves: Creation and growth

Optimal biomass (as percent of maximum plant biomass): The biomass (dry weight) of a complete or best leaf, after growth is complete.

Growth curve: Fraction of final optimal (best) leaf biomass (Y) for a given leaf age (X). Leaves tend to grow in an s-curve fashion, so simulated leaf demands for biomass from the plant attempt to follow this curve.

Fraction of optimal final biomass at creation: A leaf is created by a meristem with some amount of biomass, and then grows to its final biomass. This is the fraction of final biomass the leaf has when it is created. If zero, the leaf starts with nothing; if one, the leaf starts at full size.

Leaves: Timing

Minimum days to grow: The shortest number of days in which a leaf can grow to maturity, no matter how much biomass is available. This simulates physical limitations on the rate of growth.

Maximum days to grow: The number of days a leaf will accumulate biomass towards the optimal leaf biomass before it gives up and stops growing. This simulates the plant's concentration of resources on newer plant parts.

First leaves: Drawing

Seedling leaf 3D object: The 3D object used to draw the seedling leaf or leaves (cotyledons) of this plant when it has just emerged from germination.

Seedling leaf 3D object scale at full size: The scale for the 3D object used to draw the seedling leaf or leaves for this plant when the leaves are full-sized.

Seedling leaf 3D object X rotation before drawing: Just before this 3D object is drawn, it will be rotated in the X dimension by this amount. For leaves, this will normally be either 90 degrees or -90 degrees. Normally you will leave this at 90 or -90, but you might need to set it differently if you have imported 3D objects from DXF files.

Seedling leaf 3D object Y rotation before drawing: Just before this 3D object is drawn, it will be rotated in the Y dimension by this amount. Normally you will leave this at zero, but you might need to set it differently if you have imported 3D objects from DXF files.

Seedling leaf 3D object Z rotation before drawing: Just before this 3D object is drawn, it will be rotated in the Z dimension by this amount. Normally you will leave this at zero, but you might need to set it differently if you have imported 3D objects from DXF files.

Seedling leaf back face color: The back face (facing down) color for the seedling leaf or leaves on this plant.

Seedling leaf front face color: The front face (facing up) color for the seedling leaf or leaves on this plant.

First leaves: Timing

Number of nodes on main stem when seedling leaf falls off: When the seedling leaf or leaves for this plant should fall off, based on the number of nodes (leaf positions) on the main stem. For example, if this number is 4, the seedling leaves will disappear when four leaves have appeared above the seedling leaves.

Flowers: Drawing flower

Flower petal 3D object: The 3D object used to draw the petals of female flowers.

Flower petal 3D object scale at full size: The scale for the 3D object used to draw the petals of female flowers when they are full-sized.

Flower petal 3D object X rotation before drawing: Just before this 3D object is drawn, it will be rotated in the X dimension by this amount. Normally you will leave this at zero, but you might need to set it differently if you have imported 3D objects from DXF files.

Flower petal 3D object Y rotation before drawing: Just before this 3D object is drawn, it will be rotated in the Y dimension by this amount. Normally you will leave this at zero, but you might need to set it differently if you have imported 3D objects from DXF files.

Flower petal 3D object Z rotation before drawing: Just before this 3D object is drawn, it will be rotated in the Z dimension by this amount. Normally you will leave this at zero, but you might need to set it differently if you have imported 3D objects from DXF files.

Flower petal front face color: The front face (facing in) color for the petals of female flowers.

Flower petal back face color: The back face (facing out) color for the petals of female flowers.

Number of petals on flower: The number of petals on a female flower.

Flower petals are radially arranged: If 'yes' the 3D objects used to draw the petals of female flowers are drawn rotated at different angles to make them form a circle around the stem. If 'no' they are all drawn at the same angle (and usually there is only one oddly-shaped 3D object).

Flowers: Drawing flower bud

Bud petal 3D object: The 3D object used to draw the petals of female flower buds.

Bud petal 3D object scale at full size: The scale for the 3D object used to draw the petals of female flower buds when they are full-sized.

Bud petal 3D object X rotation before drawing: Just before this 3D object is drawn, it will be rotated in the X dimension by this amount. Normally you will leave this at zero, but you might need to set it differently if you have imported 3D objects from DXF files.

Bud petal 3D object Y rotation before drawing: Just before this 3D object is drawn, it will be rotated in the Y dimension by this amount. Normally you will leave this at zero, but you might need to set it differently if you have imported 3D objects from DXF files.

Bud petal 3D object Z rotation before drawing: Just before this 3D object is drawn, it will be rotated in the Z dimension by this amount. Normally you will leave this at zero, but you might need to set it differently if you have imported 3D objects from DXF files.

Bud petal front face color: The front face (facing in) color for the petals of female flower buds.

Bud petal back face color: The back face (facing out) color for the petals of female flower buds.

Number of petals on flower bud: The number of petals on a female flower bud. (This is the same number of petals as on the female flower in reality, but for the purpose of drawing this number may be different.)

Bud petals are radially arranged: If 'yes' the 3D objects used to draw the petals of female flower buds are drawn rotated at different angles to make them form a circle around the stem. If 'no' they are all drawn at the same angle (and usually there is only one oddly-shaped 3D object).

Flowers: Creation and growth

Optimal biomass (as percent of maximum plant biomass): The biomass (dry weight) of a complete or best female flower.

Minimum fraction of optimal biomass needed to open: The smallest fraction of the optimal (best) amount of female flower biomass that must be accumulated before a female flower can open.

Minimum fraction of optimal biomass needed to set fruit: The smallest fraction of the optimal (best) amount of female flower biomass that must be accumulated before a female flower can create a fruit.

Flowers: Timing

Minimum days to grow: The shortest number of days in which a female flower can grow to maturity, no matter how much biomass is available. This simulates physical limitations on the rate of growth.

Maximum days to grow: The number of days a female flower will accumulate biomass towards maturity before it gives up and stops growing. This simulates the plant's concentration of resources on newer meristems.

Minimum days before opening: The shortest number of days after female flower creation that the flower can open from the flower bud.

Minimum days before fruit can be set: The shortest number of days a female flower can appear and grow before it can set a fruit. Set this to a high number if you don't want fruits on your plant.

Days until drop if fruit not set: The number of days between the appearance of female flowers and their abscission (falling off).

Inflorescences: Architecture

Number of flowers on main branch: The number of flower on the main branch of each female inflorescence. This is produced without variation.

Number of flowers per secondary branch: The number of flowers on each secondary branch (not the main branch) of a female inflorescence. This number of flowers will be produced on each branch whenever an inflorescence is produced, with no variation.

Number of secondary branches: The number of secondary inflorescence stems on a female inflorescence for this plant. For spikes, racemes and umbels, this number should be zero. For panicles, this number depends on the number of flowers. Tertiary branches cannot be drawn.

Stalk color: The color of the female inflorescence stems on this plant.

Pedicel color: The color of the female inflorescence pedicels (flower stems) on this plant.

Inflorescence branches are alternate: If the branches on the inflorescence are alternate (one to the left, then one to the right, etc). If this is answered 'no', the branches on the inflorescence (if any) will be drawn opposite (in pairs).

Angle of inflor. branch with inflor. stem: The angle between the main inflorescence stem and each 'branch' of the inflorescence -- that is, each secondary inflorescence stem. Panicle inflorescences have branches; racemes do not.

Angle between flowers (to bend infllorescence): The angle between sections of the inflorescence. To make the inflorescence bend over its length, make this angle greater than zero.

Angle of pedicel with inflor. stem: The angle between the main inflorescence stem and each single flower stalk or pedicel.

Angle of peduncle with plant stem if axillary: The angle at the start of the inflorescence if it comes out of an axillary bud from a plant stem (not used if the inflorescence is apical).

Angle of peduncle with plant stem if apical: The angle at the start of the inflorescence if it comes out of an apical bud from a plant stem (not used if the inflorescence is axillary).

Flowers spiral around main stem: If 'yes' the flowers on the female inflorescences on this plant are drawn using the same phyllotaxis (spiraling) around the inflorescence stem (and branches) as is used for the main stem. If 'no' the flowers are drawn without spiraling.

Head type (like sunflower): The female inflorescences for this plant are of the composite type. The small disc flowers are drawn in a circle, each with one petal that looks something like a ray flower. This is not botanically accurate but looks right.

Inflorescences: Size

Primary stalk length if apical (terminal): The length of the main inflorescence stem before the first flower *if* the female inflorescences for this plant are apical (at the apex or end of a plant stem).

Primary stalk length if axillary: The length of the primary inflorescence stem before the first flower stalk (pedicel) *if* the female inflorescences for this plant are axillary (coming out of the leaf axils on plant stems).

Internode length (between flowers): The length of the segments of the main inflorescence stem between pedicels (flower stalks). Similar to the internode length for the entire plant. For an umbelliferous flower, make this number very small; for a raceme or spike make this number larger.

Pedicel (flower stalk) length: The length of each pedicel or flower stalk in a female inflorescence.

Stem width: The width of the female inflorescence stems on this plant.

Pedicel taper index: How much to taper the pedicel's width as it reaches the flower 3D object. For no tapering, choose 100% of initial width (the default). To taper the pedicel, choose a lower percentage.

Inflorescences: Creation and growth

Apical (terminal): The female inflorescences for this plant are apical (at the apex or end of a plant stem).

Optimal biomass (as percent of maximum plant biomass): The biomass (dry weight) of a complete or best female inflorescence.

Minimum fraction of optimal biomass needed to create: The smallest fraction of the optimal (best) amount of female inflorescence biomass that must be accumulated before a female inflorescence can be created.

Minimum fraction of optimal biomass needed to make flowers: The smallest fraction of the optimal (best) amount of female inflorescence biomass that must be accumulated before a female inflorescence can begin to create flowers.

Inflorescences: Timing

Days for all flowers to develop: The number of days it takes to create the flowers on a female inflorescence. Flowers are created without accumulating biomass beforehand. They begin to demand biomass as soon as they are created, to open from buds to flowers and then to grow to full size.

Flowers develop from top to bottom: If 'yes' the flowers on the female inflorescences on this plant develop in order from the top to the bottom (basipetal). If answered 'no', flowers develop from the bottom to the top (acropetal).

Minimum days for meristem to create: The shortest number of days in which a reproductive meristem can produce an inflorescence, no matter how much biomass is available. This simulates physical limitations on the rate of growth.

Maximum days for meristem to create: The number of days a reproductive meristem will accumulate biomass towards creation of an inflorescence before it gives up and creates a smaller inflorescence. This simulates the plant's concentration of resources on newer meristems.

Minimum days to grow: The shortest number of days in which a female inflorescence can possibly reach its optimal biomass after its creation. This simulates physical limitations on the rate of growth.

Maximum days to grow: The number of days a female inflorescence will attempt to accumulate biomass to reach its optimal biomass (after its creation) before it stops growing. This simulates the plant's concentration of resources on the demands of newer plant parts.

Fruit: Drawing

Section 3D object: The 3D object used to draw fruit sections. Fruit sections do not simulate real objects; they just make it easier to draw roughly spherical fruits.

Section 3D object scale at full size: The scale for the 3D object used to draw fruit sections when they are full-sized.

Section 3D object X rotation before drawing: Just before this 3D object is drawn, it will be rotated in the X dimension by this amount. Normally you will leave this at zero, but you might need to set it differently if you have imported 3D objects from DXF files.

Section 3D object Y rotation before drawing: Just before this 3D object is drawn, it will be rotated in the Y dimension by this amount. Normally you will leave this at zero, but you might need to set it differently if you have imported 3D objects from DXF files.

Section 3D object Z rotation before drawing: Just before this 3D object is drawn, it will be rotated in the Z dimension by this amount. Normally you will leave this at zero, but you might need to set it differently if you have imported 3D objects from DXF files.

Number of section 3D objects: The number of sections on a fruit.

Sections are radially arranged: If 'yes' the 3D objects used to draw sections of a fruit are drawn rotated at different angles to make them form a circle around the stem. If 'no' they are all drawn at the same angle (and usually there is only one oddly-shaped 3D object).

Unripe section front face color: The front face (facing in) color for sections of an unripe fruit.

Unripe section back face color: The back face (facing out) color for sections of an unripe fruit.

Ripe section front face color: The front face (facing in) color for sections of a ripe fruit.

Ripe section back face color: The back face (facing out) color for sections of a ripe fruit.

Fruit: Creation and growth

Optimum biomass (as percent of maximum plant biomass): The biomass (dry weight) of a complete or best fruit.

Growth curve: Fraction of final optimal (best) fruit biomass (Y) for a given fruit age (X). Fruits tend to grow in an s-curve fashion, so simulated fruit demands for biomass from the plant attempt to follow this curve.

Fruit: Timing

Minimum days to grow: The shortest number of days in which a fruit can grow to maturity, no matter how much biomass is available. This simulates physical limitations on the rate of growth.

Maximum days to grow: The number of days a fruit will accumulate biomass towards maturity before it gives up and stops growing. This simulates the plant's concentration of resources on newer meristems.

Days to ripen once full-sized: The number of days it takes for a fruit on this plant to ripen once it has stopped expanding. This is only for drawing (it has a different color when it is ripe) and does not affect the model.

Root top: Drawing

Root top shows above ground: The top of the root for this plant shows above the ground (and is worth looking at, as in a carrot or beet). If 'yes', a 3D object and colors should be chosen for the root top.

Root top 3D object: The 3D object used to draw the top of the root (the part you can see sticking out of the ground, as in a carrot).

Root top 3D object scale at full size: The scale for the 3D object used to draw the root top when the plant is mature.

Root top 3D object X rotation before drawing: Just before this 3D object is drawn, it will be rotated in the X dimension by this amount. Normally you will leave this at zero, but you might need to set it differently if you have imported 3D objects from DXF files.

Root top 3D object Y rotation before drawing: Just before this 3D object is drawn, it will be rotated in the Y dimension by this amount. Normally you will leave this at zero, but you might need to set it differently if you have imported 3D objects from DXF files.

Root top 3D object Z rotation before drawing: Just before this 3D object is drawn, it will be rotated in the Z dimension by this amount. Normally you will leave this at zero, but you might need to set it differently if you have imported 3D objects from DXF files.

Root top front face color: The front face (facing in) color for the root top on this plant.

Root top back face color: The back face (facing out) color for the root top on this plant.