STEM_BOTANY

Plant organs

  • Composed of 1 or more tissues

  • It has 3 major types

    • Roots

    • Stems

    • Leaves

  • Flower and fruits evolve form stem and leaves

Importance of Stem

  • Important in photosynthesis

  • It carries water and minerals from the root-leaves

Stem

  • It is the organs that hold structures such as leaves, flower and fruits

  • Its the continuation of roots located above the surface of the soil

  • Stem with leaves are called shoots

  • Originated from epicotyl and hypocotyl

STEM CLASSIFICATION

A. Based on toughness

  1. Herbaceous stems

  2. Woody stems

B. Based on location

  1. Aerial stems or Epiterranean stems

  2. Underground stems or subterranean stems

A. BASED ON TOUGHNESS

  • Soft or Herbaceous stems

    • Soft and green, small in diameter and cobered in epidermis

    • Annuals, germinate flower, die in one year

  • Woody stems

    • Grow high diameter, perennials

    • Covered in Corky bark, Cork

    • Tree - woody plant w/ 1 main trunk

    • Shurb - woody plant w/ several main stems with same size

      • It has stem smaller in diameter and shorter than trees

B. BASED ON LOCATION

  1. Aerial Stems (Epiterranean Stems):

  • Types include:

    • Runners (Stolons): Creeping branches rooting at nodes (e.g., strawberries).

    • Tendrils: Thin branches that help climbers attach (e.g., cucumber, squash).

  1. Underground Stems (Subterranean Stems):

  • Types include:

    • Rhizomes: Horizontal stems growing underground (e.g., ginger, bamboo).

    • Tubers: Swollen ends with stored food (e.g., potatoes).

    • Bulbs: Reduced stems with fleshy leaves (e.g., onions, garlic).

    • Corms: Solid, swollen stems that store food (e.g., taro).