Getting to Know Plants

7.1 HERBS, SHRUBS AND TREES

 Herbs

 Small, non-woody plants with soft, green, and tender stems.

 Usually grow up to one meter in height.
 Have a short lifespan, typically completing their life cycle in a few
months to a few years.
 Examples: Mint, Coriander, Spinach.

 Shrubs

 Medium-sized, woody plants with multiple branches arising from the

base.
 Height ranges between one to three meters.
 Have a longer lifespan than herbs but shorter than trees.
 Examples: Rose, Hibiscus, Bougainvillea.

 Trees

 Large, woody plants with a thick trunk and branches growing high
above the ground.
 Can grow several meters tall.
 Have a long lifespan, often living for decades or even centuries.
 Examples: Mango, Neem, Banyan.

 Plants are classified into herbs, shrubs, and trees based on the
following characteristics:

 Size and Height

 Herbs – Small plants with a height usually less than 1 meter (e.g.,
Tulsi, Mint).
 Shrubs – Medium-sized plants with a height between 1 to 3 meters
(e.g., Rose, Hibiscus).
 Trees – Tall and large plants with a height above 3 meters (e.g.,
Mango, Neem).

 Stem Nature

 Herbs – Soft, green, and flexible stems.

 Shrubs – Hard, woody stems with branches starting near the ground.
 Trees – Thick, strong, and woody stems (trunk) with branches high
above the ground.

 Lifespan

 Herbs – Usually short-lived (a few months to a few years).

 Shrubs – Longer lifespan than herbs but shorter than trees.
 Trees – Have the longest lifespan, often living for decades or
centuries.

NOTE

Creepers

 Creepers are plants that have weak stems and spread horizontally
along the ground. They cannot stand upright on their own and grow
by trailing along the soil. Examples: Pumpkin, Watermelon, and
Strawberry.

Climbers

 Climbers are plants with weak stems that need support to grow
vertically. They use tendrils, twining stems, or other structures to
climb onto nearby objects. Examples: Pea, Money Plant, and Grape
Vine.

7.2 STEM
A stem bears the following parts:

 Leaves – The stem holds leaves in a position to receive sunlight for

photosynthesis.
 Buds – There are two types:

 Apical Bud – Present at the tip of the stem, responsible for growth in
length.
 Axillary Bud – Found in the axils of leaves, capable of developing
into branches or flowers.

 Branches – The stem produces branches that spread out and bear
leaves, flowers, and fruits.
 Flowers – The reproductive structures of the plant that develop from
buds.
 Fruits – Developed from flowers after fertilization, containing seeds.

 The stem helps in the upward movement of water and minerals

from the roots to the leaves and other parts of the plant. This
movement occurs through vascular tissues:

 Xylem – Conducts water and minerals absorbed by the roots to the

leaves, flowers, and other parts of the plant.
 Phloem – Transports food prepared by the leaves to different parts
of the plant.

 The stem is like a two-way traffic street because it allows the

movement of substances in two directions:

 Upward Movement (Roots to Leaves)

 Water and minerals absorbed by the roots travel upward through
the xylem to reach the leaves, flowers, and other parts of the plant.

 Downward Movement (Leaves to Other Parts)

 Food produced in the leaves during photosynthesis is transported

downward through the phloem to the stem, roots, and other parts of
the plant for growth and storage.

7.3 LEAF

Parts of a Leaf

A leaf is an important part of a plant that helps in photosynthesis,

transpiration, and gaseous exchange. It consists of the following main
parts:

1. Leaf Blade (Lamina)

 The broad, flat, and green part of the leaf.

 Contains chlorophyll, which helps in photosynthesis.
 Has veins and a midrib that provide support and transport nutrients.

2. Midrib

 The central vein running through the middle of the leaf.

 Provides structural support to the leaf.
 Helps in the transport of water, minerals, and food to different
parts of the leaf.

3. Veins

 A network of thin lines branching from the midrib.

 Help in the transport of water and minerals from the roots to the
leaf.
 Provide mechanical support to the leaf.

4. Petiole

 The stalk that connects the leaf to the stem.

 Supports the leaf and helps in the exchange of nutrients and water
between the leaf and the plant.

5. Leaf Margin

 The edge of the leaf.

 Can be smooth, serrated, lobed, or wavy, depending on the plant
species.

6. Leaf Apex
 The tip of the leaf.
 Its shape varies in different plant species (pointed, rounded, etc.).

7. Stomata

 Tiny openings present mostly on the underside of the leaf.

 Help in gaseous exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
 Control transpiration, which is the loss of water vapor from the
plant.

8. Leaf Base

 The lower part of the leaf where it is attached to the petiole.

 Some leaves have stipules, which are small leaf-like structures at the
base of the petiole.

Venation in Leaves

Venation refers to the arrangement of veins in a leaf. Veins provide

support and help in the transport of water, minerals, and food. There are
two main types of venation:

1. Reticulate Venation

 The veins form a network (web-like structure) throughout the leaf.

 Found in dicot plants.

Example:

 Mango
 Rose
 Peepal
 Guava
 Sunflower

2. Parallel Venation

 The veins run parallel to each other from the base to the tip of the
leaf.
 Found in monocot plants.

Example:

 Banana
 Grass
 Wheat
 Maize
 Coconut

Functions of a Leaf
1. Photosynthesis

 The leaf prepares food for the plant using sunlight, carbon dioxide,
and water with the help of chlorophyll.
 This process releases oxygen as a byproduct.

2. Transpiration

 Leaves lose excess water in the form of water vapor through small
openings called stomata.
 This helps in cooling the plant and maintaining the flow of water.

3. Gaseous Exchange

 Leaves take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen during

photosynthesis.
 They also help in respiration by exchanging gases through stomata.

4. Storage of Food

 In some plants, leaves store food (e.g., Cabbage, Aloe Vera).

5. Vegetative Propagation

 Some plants grow new plants from leaves (e.g., Bryophyllum, which
has buds on leaf margins).

6. Protection

 Some leaves are modified into spines to prevent water loss and
protect the plant (e.g., Cactus).

7.4 ROOT

Functions of Roots

1. Anchorage

 Roots fix the plant firmly in the soil and provide support.

2. Absorption of Water and Minerals

 Roots absorb water and minerals from the soil and transport them
to the stem.

3. Prevention of Soil Erosion

 Roots hold the soil together, preventing it from being washed away
by wind or water.
4. Storage of Food

 Some roots store food for future use (e.g., Carrot, Beetroot,
Radish).

5. Vegetative Propagation

 Some plants can grow new plants from roots (e.g., Sweet Potato,
Dahlia).

6. Transportation

 Roots transport water and nutrients to other parts of the plant

through the xylem.

7. Symbiotic Associations

 Some roots have relationships with bacteria or fungi to help absorb

nutrients (e.g., leguminous plants with Rhizobium bacteria).

Types of Roots and Their Associated Venation

Roots and leaf venation are linked because plants with taproots usually
have Reticulate venation, while plants with fibrous roots usually have
parallel venation.

1. Taproot System

 Definition: Consists of one main root (primary root) that grows

deep into the soil, with lateral roots arising from it.
 Venation: Plants with taproots have Reticulate venation (network-
like veins in leaves).

 Lateral Roots

 Definition: These are side roots that grow from the main root (in
taproot systems) or from fibrous roots.
 Function: They help in absorbing water and minerals and provide
additional support to the plant.

Examples:

 Mango (Taproot + Reticulate Venation)

 Pea (Taproot + Reticulate Venation)
 Sunflower (Taproot + Reticulate Venation)
 Carrot (Taproot + Reticulate Venation)

2. Fibrous Root System

 Definition: A cluster of thin, hair-like roots that spread out from

the base of the stem, without a single main root.
 Venation: Plants with fibrous roots have parallel venation (veins
run parallel in leaves).
 Examples:

 Grass (Fibrous Root + Parallel Venation)

 Wheat (Fibrous Root + Parallel Venation)
 Rice (Fibrous Root + Parallel Venation)
 Maize (Fibrous Root + Parallel Venation)

7.5 FLOWER

Structure of a Flower

A flower is the reproductive part of a plant. It has four main parts:

1. Sepals (Calyx)

 Green, leaf-like structures at the base of the flower.

 Protect the flower bud before it blooms.

2. Petals (Corolla)

 Brightly colored structures that attract pollinators.

 Protect the inner reproductive parts of the flower.

3. Stamens (Androecium) – Male Reproductive Part

 Consists of two parts:

 Anther – Produces pollen (male gametes).

 Filament – A stalk that supports the anther.

4. Pistil/Carpel (Gynoecium) – Female Reproductive Part

 Consists of three parts:

 Stigma – Sticky surface where pollen lands.
 Style – Tube that connects the stigma to the ovary.
 Ovary – Contains ovules (female gametes) that develop into seeds
after fertilization.