A plant’s stem acts as a structural axis, sustaining the plant’s leaves, flowers, and fruits. In addition, they frequently have specific roles in photosynthesis, support, defense, and asexual reproduction.
Stems are a part of a plant’s shoot system. They can range in diameter and length from a few millimeters to hundreds of meters, depending on the type of plant. Even though some plants, such as the potato, have underground stems, stems are typically found above ground. Stems can be both herbaceous and woody. The primary function of stems is to hold the plant’s leaves, flowers, and buds; on occasion, they also act as the plant’s food storage. A stem may be sparsely or thickly branched, as in the case of a palm tree or a magnolia tree, respectively.
The stem connects the roots to the leaves to move absorbed water and minerals to various plant areas. As sugars are transported from the leaves to the remainder of the plant, it also aids in transferring photosynthesis’ byproducts. Nodes and internodes are features of plant stems that can be found above or below ground. Leaves, aerial roots, and flowers adhere to nodes at specific locations. An internode is the area of the stem between two nodes. The petiole is the stalk that connects a leaf’s base to its stem.
In addition, an axillary bud usually develops into a branch or a flower in the axil. Also, it is the region between the base and stem of a leaf. Finally, the apical bud at the end of the shoot is where the apical meristem is found.
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Functions of plant stem
The plant stem’s essential functions are:
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Plant stems allow for erecting and supporting leaves, fruits, and flowers. The branches give the plant a place to store its fruits and flowers and keep the leaves in the sun. Tendrils from watermelon, cucumber, and grapevine stems are employed as supports.
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It functions as a structure for holding nutrients. The potato tuber, ginger rhizome, onion bulb, and colocasia corm are stem modifications used for food storage.
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Also, it facilitates the flow of water and minerals in the roots and branches between the phloem and xylem.
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The stems are also crucial to the plant’s defense. Citrus and bougainvillea stem axillary buds develop into dangerous thorns as a defense. In addition, they guard the plants against animals.
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It functions by producing fresh live tissue. Usually, plant cells survive between one and three years. Every year, stem cells called meristems create new living tissue. The lateral branches of underground grass stems, mint, and jasmine also serve as vegetative reproductive structures.
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Assimilation of food is one of the plant stem’s primary functions. The opuntia’s flattened stem, which contains chlorophyll, is where photosynthesis occurs.
Stem modifications
Many plant stem species have modified stems specifically adapted to a given habitat and environment. A modified stem with nodes and internodes known as a rhizome spreads horizontally underground. Some plants, like ginger and ferns, have rhizomes that develop buds that later develop into vertical shoots. Rhizomes and corms are similar; however, corms are rounder and fleshier. Some plants may survive the winter by having corms and food storage. Stems called stolons can produce new plants at their nodes and are practically parallel to the ground or lie slightly below the surface. Strawberries are an example of a runner, a form of stolon that runs above the ground and produces new clone plants at nodes at irregular intervals. The potato is an example of a tuber with modified stems that can store starch. Many accidental or odd buds are found inside tubers, which appear as the inflated ends of stolons. A modified stem that resembles expanded fleshy leaves growing from it or encircling its base, as seen in the iris, is a bulb, which serves as an underground storage unit.
FAQs
What kind of plant are stems?
Celery, asparagus, kohlrabi, rhubarb, and turmeric are some examples.
What species of plants are stem plants?
Plants with thick, stiff stems are known as trees. Complex stem plants have woody stems and can stand upright without any assistance. Examples of trees are mango, neem, coconut, peepal, and others.
What vegetables contain stems?
Vegetables with stems include kohlrabi and asparagus. Potatoes are edible subterranean stems or tubers. Brussels sprouts, cabbage, celery, lettuce, rhubarb, and spinach are vegetables with leaves and stalks.
What develops from a primary stem?
The stem carries the leaves, flowers, and fruits of a plant. Therefore, nodes (the places of attachment for leaves or branches) and internodes are characteristics of stems.
