Stems

Stems are one of the main structural parts of plants, serving as the support framework and conduit for water, nutrients, and sugars. They are typically above ground, but can also be subterranean in some plant species.

Structure and Function

Stems have a complex structure composed of nodes, internodes, buds, and leaves. The node is the part of the stem where leaves are attached, and the internode is the segment between nodes. Buds are undeveloped or embryonic shoots that arise from the stem and can develop into branches, flowers, or leaves.

Stems perform several key functions for the plant. They provide support for the plant, elevating the leaves, flowers, and fruits to enable them to reach sunlight and disperse seeds. They also serve as conduits, transporting water, minerals, and sugars between the roots and the rest of the plant.

Types of Stems

There are several types of stems, including:

• Herbaceous stems: These are soft, green stems that do not have much wood and do not persist beyond a single growing season.
• Woody stems: These stems are hard and durable, persisting for many years and supporting the bulk of the tree's or shrub's structure.
• Deciduous stems: These stems belong to plants that shed their leaves annually.
• Evergreen stems: These stems belong to plants that retain their leaves year-round.

Adaptations

Stems have evolved a variety of adaptations to help plants survive in different environments. For example, some desert plants have succulent stems that store water. Some climbing plants have twining stems that can coil around supports. Some plants, like the potato, have tuberous stems that store nutrients.

See Also

• Plant morphology
• Root
• Leaf
• Flower