Describe modifications
of stem with suitable examples
Describe modifications of stem with suitable examples
Stems of various plants
have undergone modifications to perform different functions.
Underground stems or
storage stems:
Examples: Rhizomes,
Corms, tubers
In ginger and banana,
the underground stem is called a rhizome. The underground stem in
Colocasia (arvi) is known as corm. Rhizomes and corms
are underground stems, modified for the storage of food. Also, these
stems help in vegetative reproduction of these plants. The tips of
the underground stem in potato plants become swollen due to the
accumulation of food. The potato is a tuber that helps in the storage
of food and bears eyes on it. Subtended by a leaf scar, these eyes
bear buds that give rise to new plants.
Supportive stems
Example: tendril
The stem in some weak
plants bear thin, slender, and spirally-coiled structures called
tendrils that help the plant get attached to nearby structures for
support. Tendrils are found in cucumbers, melons, and other members
of the family Cucurbitaceae.
Protective stems
Example: Thorns
The stem in
bougainvillea and citrus plants (like lemon and orange) bear
sharp, pointed structures called thorns, which provide protection to
the plant from herbivores.
Photosynthetic stems
Example: Opuntia
The stem in the Opuntia
is green. It carries out the process of photosynthesis in the absence
of leaves.
Others stem
modifications
In some plants,
underground stems such as grasses spread in the soil and help in
perenation. These stems are called runners.
The short lateral stem
called the offset in some aquatic plants (such as Eichhornia)
bears leaves and tufts of roots at the node and gives rise to new
plants.
Stems of various plants have undergone modifications to perform different functions.
Underground stems or storage stems:
Examples: Rhizomes, Corms, tubers
In ginger and banana, the underground stem is called a rhizome. The underground stem in Colocasia (arvi) is known as corm. Rhizomes and corms are underground stems, modified for the storage of food. Also, these stems help in vegetative reproduction of these plants. The tips of the underground stem in potato plants become swollen due to the accumulation of food. The potato is a tuber that helps in the storage of food and bears eyes on it. Subtended by a leaf scar, these eyes bear buds that give rise to new plants.
Supportive stems
Example: tendril
The stem in some weak plants bear thin, slender, and spirally-coiled structures called tendrils that help the plant get attached to nearby structures for support. Tendrils are found in cucumbers, melons, and other members of the family Cucurbitaceae.
Protective stems
Example: Thorns
The stem in bougainvillea and citrus plants (like lemon and orange) bear sharp, pointed structures called thorns, which provide protection to the plant from herbivores.
Photosynthetic stems
Example: Opuntia
The stem in the Opuntia is green. It carries out the process of photosynthesis in the absence of leaves.
Others stem modifications
In some plants, underground stems such as grasses spread in the soil and help in perenation. These stems are called runners.
The short lateral stem called the offset in some aquatic plants (such as Eichhornia) bears leaves and tufts of roots at the node and gives rise to new plants.
