Plant classification based on growth patterns
We are surrounded by an enormous variety of plants. Only a
few of them are aquatic and terrestrial plants. Despite this, they all serve
the same purpose and contain the same components; With a variety of roots,
stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, and other characteristics, they are
distinctive. Plants can be further categorized based on their height, the
tenderness of their stems and branches, and their life cycle. As a result, the
classification of plants is primarily based on several factors.
Learn more about the classification of plants according to
their growth habits in this article Let's start by defining "growth
habit."
What is habitual growth?
The term "growth habits" is used in horticulture
to describe a plant's growth, development, or change in height, shape, and type
of growth. Both environmental and genetic variables greatly affect their
pattern of growth. For instance, interactions with various animals influence
how plants adapt to their environment. From an evolutionary point of view,
plants' growth habits ensure their survival and ability to adapt to different
environments, increasing the likelihood that their genes will be successfully
passed on to future generations.
Classification Based on Habits of Growth When looking at
plants, some are too short to climb, while others are too tall. In addition to
the height, the stem thickness and delicacy vary.
For instance, the stems of short plants are spongy, tender,
and greenish, whereas the stems of tall, thick, strong, and woody plants or
trees are difficult to break.
Plants are broadly categorized into three groups based on their growth habits:
Herbs are small plants with delicate, soft, green stems and
no woody tissues. They spend one or two seasons at the end of their life cycle.
They typically lack branches or have few branches. These are simple to remove
from the soil. Herbs offer good nutritional benefits, such as vitamins and
minerals, to be included in a balanced diet. Herbs include tomato, wheat,
paddy, grass, bananas, and others.
Shrubs are medium-sized, woody plants that are shorter than
trees but taller than herbs. They typically stand between 6 and 10 meters tall.
Their characteristics include numerous branches on hard, bushy, and woody
stems. Despite their hardness, stems are flexible but not fragile. The species
of these plants typically determine their lifespan. Some of the common shrubs
that surround us are rose, jasmine, lemon, tulsi, and henna.
Trees are tall, massive plants. The stem's trunk is
incredibly thick, sturdy, and woody. Numerous branches bearing leaves, flowers,
and fruits sprout from this single main stem or trunk. Some trees, like coconut
trees, lack branches; Specifically, they have a single main stem that produces
leaves, flowers, and fruits on its own. Trees live for a very long time. e.g.,
for several years. Trees include the banana, mango, neem, cashew, teak, and
oak, among others.
Also read: Mammalia
There are two additional categories of plants in addition to
these three that require some kind of support to grow. They are referred to as
climbers and creepers specifically.
Climbers Compared to creepers, climbers are much more
advanced. Climbers can't stand on their own because of their thin, long, and
weak stems. They can, however, grow vertically and bear weight by using
external support. To climb, these kinds of plants use special structures called
tendrils. Pea plant, grapevine, sweet gourd, money plant, jasmine, runner
beans, green peas, and others are some climber plant names.
Creepers are plants that move along the ground, as the name
suggests. Their long, thin stems are extremely fragile and unable to support
their entire weight. Examples include watermelon, strawberries, pumpkin, and
sweet potatoes.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What distinguishes herbs from shrubs?
Herbs are perennial plants with supple, fragile stems. Shrubs
have hard, woody stems with branches and are taller than herbs.
2. Give a brief explanation of the plant classification.
There are many different kinds of plants, and most of them
are categorized according to specific characteristics like how they grow,
whether or not they have specialized tissues, whether or not they have flowers,
and so on.
3. What does "growth habit" entail?
The main aspect of a plant species' growth habit is its
appearance, shape, height, and form. The particular genetic patterns that
control growth determine a plant's growth habit.
4. Give five illustrations of shrubs.
The rose, marigold, china rose, and lemon is the most
typical examples of shrubs.
5. What qualities do herbs possess?
Herbs have the following characteristics:
1. They are
tiny plants with stems that are pliable and delicate.
2. They have
a delicate, tender, green stem.
3. They can
only survive for one or two seasons and have a short lifespan.
4. They may
reach a height of 2 to 3 meters and are smaller.
Also read: Acceleration
6. Climbers: what are they?
Climbers are green plants with long, very thin, and weak
stems that rely on external support to grow and support themselves.
7. Give some instances of climbers.
Climbers include cucumber, beans, grapevine, gourd, jasmine,
and the money plant.
8. Give a few creepy crawlies as examples.
Climbing plants include pumpkin, sweet potato, and passion
flowers.
9. How do creepers work?
Creepers primarily refer to plants that cannot stand upright
and have a weak stem that is extended horizontally with the soil on the ground.
10. What distinguishes climbers from creepers?
Climbers and creepers differ primarily in the following
areas:
Creepers also bear flowers alongside their fruit on the
ground and spread their stem, leaves, and soil horizontally. The fiber-like
roots that the creepers' leaves produce anchor the plant to the ground and
provide external support for further growth.
Climbers are plants with fragile stems that grow with
support from the outside. To climb, these plants make a hook or twine from
their leaves. Special roots are produced by some plants that enable them to
climb around specific objects.