Plants are nature’s gift. The world without them is unthinkable. They are packed with lots of roles to act. They act as the source of food and oxygen; have ornamental functions; maintain ecological balance etc. For a better understanding of the importance of plants in an ecosystem, we need to know its different parts and their functions. Let’s have a glance on classifications of plants based on different criteria like height, life cycle, etc.
PLANTS: CLASSIFICATIONS
Around us, we can see a variety of plants. Despite the fact that they all have same parts, they are different. Classification of plants can be based on many factors. We can classify them based on their height, tenderness of stem and branches; based on their life cycle.
Based on growth habits: Trees, Shrubs, Herbs, Climbers, and Creepers
Based on their life cycle: A plant can be either annual or biennial or perennial based on their life cycle.
PARTS AND FUNCTIONS
Plants fulfill their different roles with the help of their parts. These parts encompass of roots, stems, leaves and flowers. For the easiness of study, we can categorize the parts into two main systems, namely, root system and shoot system.
Root system: As the name indicates, root system consists of every underground part of a plant. Root system comprised of tap root (e.g. Mustard, China rose) and fibrous root (e.g. Rice, Wheat). Roots absorb water and minerals for the plant.
Shoot system: Shoot system consist of all the parts above ground. Shoot system includes leaves, flowers and stems.
- Leaves: Leaves prepare food by the process called photosynthesis. It also helps in gas exchange by a process called transpiration.
- Flowers: This is the reproductive part of the plant.
- Stems: Stems support the whole plant and help to stand erect.
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