Parts Of Plants

Plants are an important part of human life and vegetation as well. They are very beneficial to us and give
us a lot of things. We are surrounded by plants, but have you ever stopped to notice the parts of a
plant? All parts of plants are important and carry out different functions. All of them come together to
perform their respective functions for the healthy life of the plant. We will dig deep into the parts of
plants and their functions.

Plants are one of the most essential living

A plant has many parts. Different parts

perform different functionalities. The part

of the plant that appears above the ground

level is called the shoot system while the part

of the plant which lies underneath the soil is

called the root system.

For better understanding, we need to know in detail about the different parts of plants and their
functions. Let’s have a glance at the structure of different plant parts and how they

are beneficial to the environment.

Transport Of Water And Minerals In

Plants
 Plants absorb water and minerals by the roots. The roots have root hair. The root hair increase the
surface area of the root for the absorption of water and mineral nutrients dissolved in water. The root
hair is in contact with the water present between the soil particles.  Can you guess how water moves
from the root to the leaves? What kind of transport system is present in plants?  Plants have pipe-like
vessels to transport water and nutrients from the soil. The vessels are made of special cells, forming the
vascular tissue.  The vascular tissue for the transport of water and nutrients in the plant is called the
xylem. The xylem forms a continuous network of channels that connects roots to the leaves through the
stem and branches and thus transports water to the entire plant leaves synthesise food.  The food has
to be transported to all parts of the plant. This is done by the vascular tissue called the phloem. Thus,
xylem and phloem transport substances in plants.

Parts Of Plants

The main parts of a plant include:

Roots

Stem

Leaves

Flowers

Fruits

Roots

A plant has roots that grow in the ground. This underground part plays a very important role in pulling
the water and minerals so they can reach the plant. Furthermore, it also expands within the ground so
that for better water absorption the water increases.

Roots also play the role of anchors which helps in creating better stability. In addition, the roots also
fuse the development of the plant and stock reserve food material. They also store food that binds the
soil together.

The roots in some plants get modified for storage of food, mechanical support and respiration. The
shoot system is differentiated into stem, leaves, flowers and fruits.The morphological features of stems
like the presence of nodes and internodes, multicellular hair and positively phototropic nature help to
differentiate the stems from roots. Stems also get modified to perform diverse functions such as storage
of food, vegetative propagation and protection under different conditions.Leaf is a lateral outgrowth of
stem developed exogeneously at the node. These are green in colour to perform the function of
photosynthesis. Leaves exhibit marked variations in their shape, size, margin, apex and extent of
incisions of leaf blade (lamina). Like other parts of plants, the leaves also get modified into other
structures such as tendrils, spines for climbing and protection respectively.The flower is a modified
shoot, meant for sexual reproduction. The flowers are arranged in different types of inflorescences.
They exhibit enormous variation in structure, symmetry, position of ovary in relation to other parts,
arrangement of petals, sepals, ovules etc.After fertilisation, the ovary is converted into fruits and
ovules into seeds. Seedseither may be monocotyledonous or dicotyledonous. They vary in shape, size
and period of viability. The floral characteristics form the basis of classification and identification of
flowering plants. This can be illustrated through semi-technical descriptions of families. Hence, a
flowering plant is described in a definite sequence by using scientific terms. The floral features are
represented in the summarised form as floral diagrams and floral formula.Water comes out of leaves in
the form of vapour by a process called transpiration. Plants release a lot of water into the air through
this process.

The Root

 The main functions of the root system are absorption of water and minerals from the soil, providing a
proper anchorage to the plant parts, storing reserve food material and synthesis of plant growth
regulators.  In majority of the dicotyledonous plants, the direct elongation of the radicle leads to the
formation of primary root which grows inside the soil. It bears lateral roots of several orders that are
referred to as secondary, tertiary, etc. roots. The primary roots and its branches constitute the tap root
system, as seen in the mustard plant.  In monocotyledonous plants, the primary root is short lived and
is replaced by a large number of roots. These roots originate from the base of the stem and constitute
the fibrous root system, as seen in the wheat plant.  In some plants, like grass, Monstera and the
banyan tree, roots arise from parts of the plant other than the radicle and are called adventitious roots.

The root is covered at the apex by a thimble-like structure called the root cap. It protects the tender
apex of the root as it makes its way through the soil.  Tap roots of carrot, turnip and adventitious roots
of sweet potato, get swollen and store food.  Hanging structures that support a banyan tree are called
prop roots. Similarly, the stems of maize and sugarcane have supporting roots coming out of the lower
nodes of the stem. These are called stilt roots.  In some plants such as Rhizophora growing in swampy
areas, many roots come out of the ground and grow vertically upwards. Such roots, called
pneumatophores, help to get oxygen for respiration.

Roots are the most important and underground part of a plant, which are collectively called the root
system. They are the major part that anchors the plant firmly in the soil. They absorb water and minerals
from the soil, synthesise plant growth regulators, and store reserve food material. The apical part of the
root is covered by the root cap that protects the root apex.

The direct elongation of radicle leads to the formation of primary roots that grow inside the soil in
dicots. It bears lateral roots that are known as secondary and tertiary roots.

In monocots, the primary root is replaced by a large number of roots because it is short-lived. In some
plants such as Banyan tree, the roots arise from the parts of the plant and not from the radical. Such
roots are known as adventitious roots.

A few plants that grow in swampy areas have roots growing vertically upwards to get oxygen for
respiration. Such roots are known as pneumatophores.
Stem

The Stem

 The region of the stem where leaves are born are called nodes while internodes are the portions
between two nodes.  Some stems perform the function of storage of food, support, protection and of
vegetative propagation.  Underground stems of potato, ginger, turmeric, zaminkand, colocasia are
modified to store food in them.  Stem tendrils which develop from axillary buds, are slender and
spirally coiled and help plants to climb such as in gourds (cucumber, pumpkins, watermelon) and
grapevines.  Axillary buds of stems may also get modified into woody, straight and pointed thorns.
Thorns are found in many plants such as Citrus, Bougainvillea. They protect plants from browsing
animals.  Some plants of arid regions modify their stems into flattened (Opuntia), or fleshy cylindrical
(Euphorbia) structures. They contain chlorophyll and carry out photosynthesis.  Underground stems of
some plants such as grass and strawberry, etc., spread to new niches and when older parts die new
plants are formed.

The stem is the part of the plant which is found above the ground. The bark of trees are brown in colour
and younger stems are green in colour. It forms the basis of the shoot system and bears leaves, fruits
and flowers. The region where the leaves arise is known as the node and the region between the nodes
is known as the internode.

Stems arise from the plumule, vertically upwards to the ground. Initially, stems are usually weak and
cannot stand straight. It eventually grows to become the toughest part of the plant called the trunk. The
trunk is covered by a thick outer covering known as the bark. Overall stem provides a definite
framework and structure to a plant, which later develops into a tree.

The stem provides support to the plant. They also protect the plant and help in vegetative propagation.
A few underground stems such as potato and ginger are modified to store food.

Function of Stem

The stem is the part that stays above the ground. A stem usually bears leaves, fruits plus flowers. It
distributes the nutrients and minerals all the way from the plant to the leaves. Furthermore, the stem is
the support system of the plant.

Moreover, it shields the plant and assists in asexual dissemination. The thorns of a stem protect it from
animals as well. The growth of a stem takes place upwards allowing leaves to reach the sunlight for
photosynthesis.

The important functions of a stem include:

A stem carries out a number of functions essential for various processes such as photosynthesis.

Provides a definite framework and structure to a plant which later develops into a tree.
Support: Primary function of the stem is to hold up buds, flowers, leaves, and fruits to the plant. Along
with the roots, a stem anchors the plants and helps them to stand upright and perpendicular to the
ground.

Transportation: It is the part which transports water and minerals from the root and prepared food from
leaves to other parts of the plant.

Storage: Stems are one of the storerooms of plants where the prepared food is stored in the form of
starch. The stems of a few plants in the desert areas, such as Opuntia, get modified into thick, fleshy
structures that store food and prevent excessive water loss due to transpiration.

Reproduction: A few stems help in reproduction through vegetative propagation and also help to bear
flowers and to produce fruits.

Guards: Protects Xylem and phloem allowing them to perform their functions. The stem tendrils are
spirally coiled and help the plant to climb support. The axillary buds also get modified into thorns that
protect the plant from grazing animals.

The stems of a few plants in the desert areas, such as Opuntia, get modified into thick, fleshy structures
that store food and prevent excessive water loss due to transpiration.

Leaves

Function of Leaf

It is safe to say that a leaf is one of the most important parts of a plant. It contains chlorophyll which
assists the plants in preparation for food. Moreover, the veins of a leaf allow the flowing of nutrients
plus water.

A leaf has three basic parts which are petiole, leaf base and lamina. The leaves of the plant help in
photosynthesis. Moreover, they help in removing any excess water via stomata. In short, it is for
transpiration.

Moreover, some plants have leaves which also assist in the process of reproduction. Thus, leaves
perform a number of functions, which helps the plant grow healthier.

 Leaves originate from shoot apical meristems. Leaf develops at the node and bears a bud in its axil.
The axillary bud later develops into a branch.  A typical leaf consists of three main parts: leaf base,
petiole and lamina.  The petiole help hold the blade to light. Long thin flexible petioles allow leaf blades
to flutter in wind, thereby cooling the leaf and bringing fresh air to leaf surface.  The lamina or the leaf
blade is the green expanded part of the leaf with veins and veinlets. There is, usually, a middle
prominent vein, which is known as the midrib. Veins provide rigidity to the leaf blade and act as
channels of transport for water, minerals and food materials.

Leaf Venation
 The arrangement of veins and the veinlets in the lamina of leaf is termed as venation.  When the
veinlets form a network, the venation is termed as reticulate. When the veins run parallel to each other
within a lamina, the venation is termed as parallel.

Leaves are the most important part of a plant. They contain chlorophyll that helps the plants to prepare
their food using sunlight, carbon dioxide and water. A leaf consists of three main parts- petiole, leaf base
and lamina.

The petiole keeps the leaf blade exposed to wind and cools the leaf.

The leaf base is a protruding part of a leaf.

The lamina of the leaf contains veins and veinlets that provide rigidity to the leaf blade and help in the
transport of mineral nutrients.

Primarily, leaves have three main functions:

Photosynthesis: Green leaves prepare food for plants by using water and carbon dioxide

in the presence of sunlight. This process is called photosynthesis.

Transpiration: Other than photosynthesis, leaves play a crucial role in the removal of excess of water
from plants through tiny pores called stomata. This is the process of transpiration.

Reproduction: Leaves of some plants helps in reproduction also. For e.g. leaves of Bryophyllum give rise
to a new Bryophyllum plant.

Other Parts of Plants

The other parts of a plant include flowers and fruits.

Flowers

Function of Flower

The bright and beautiful part of the plant which you see is the flower. They play a role in making food. A
flower has female as well as male parts. Both of these work collectively to fertilize the plant so it can
produce seeds.

A flower consists of four basic parts, which are petals, sepals, stamens, and pistil. The petals attract
insects and birds in order to pollinate them. After that, the flower buds are protected by sepals.
Similarly, the stamens which are the male part and the pistil that is the female part help in the
reproduction system.

Flowers are the most beautiful and colourful part of a plant. They are the reproductive part of a plant. A
flower has four major parts, namely,

Petals: It is the colourful part of a flower which attracts insects and birds.
Sepals: Sepals are green leafy parts present under petals and protect the flower buds from damage.

Stamens: This is the male part of the flower consisting of anther and filament.

Pistil: This is the female part of the flower consisting of stigma, style and ovary.

Fruits

Fruits are the main features of a flowering plant. It is a matured ovary that develops after fertilisation.
Some fruits are developed without fertilization and are known as parthenocarpic fruits and the process
is known as Parthenocarpy.

Thus, we see how different parts of a plant help in the growth and development of a plant. All the plant
parts are beneficial and work in coordination with each other.

 The fruit is a characteristic feature of the flowering plants.  It is a mature or ripened ovary, developed
after fertilisation.  If a fruit is formed without fertilisation of the ovary, it is called a parthenocarpic
fruit.  The Seed: The ovules after fertilisation, develop into seeds.