Plants are multicellular, mostly green organisms which are seen in our environment.
Classification of plants
1) Based on the size, nature of the stem and the life span, plants are classified into herbs, shrubs and trees. There is one more category called as creepers and climbers.
a) A herb is a non-woody plant that has green and tender stem with few branches on.
1. It is usually short.
2. It has a very short life.
3. Herbs have a variety of uses like adding flavour to food, providing medicine for diseases and some with spiritual touch.
4. Mustard, Tulsi, Wheat, Gram are some of the herbs we know
b) A shrub is taller than a herb and has stem branching out at its base.
1. Shrub is a bushy plant.
2. The stems of a shrub are not hard but thick.
3. A common place where shrubs are grown is known as shrubbery.
4. These plants live for many years.
5. Sunflower, Rose, Lime are some of the shrubs that we see around.
c) A tree is a woody plant that has many branches on a single stem.
1. Trees serve us lot of benefits.
2. They prevent soil erosion, maintain carbon dioxide content in the air, provide us materials to make huts and to make furniture.
3. Trees are categorised based on their height, width of their trunk, overall size, and their age.
4. Trees have a longer life span.
5. Mango tree, Neem tree, Peepal tree are some of the trees in our surroundings.
d) Creepers are the plants with weak stems and hence cannot stand straight.
1. They grow on the ground.
2. Creepers, as the name suggests creep horizontally on the ground.
3. Creepers are capable of growing new plants on their own.
4. Some creepers can also cause allergies or skin problems if touched.
5. Life span of creepers is very short.
e) Climbers are the plants that need support from other structures to grow and spread.
1. Climbers can either grow horizontally or vertically unlike creepers that grow only in horizontal direction. Lifespan is very short in climbers.
2. The climbing plants use these tendrils to cling on to the support firmly.
3. A tendril can be a modified leaf or a shoot or petiole like structure which is used by climbers to wrap around a support.
4. Different types of tendrils are leaf tendril, stem tendril, leaflet tendril, leaf tip tendril etc.
5. Climbers attract insects and reptiles by their bright coloured flowers and fragrance.
2) Depending on the presence of flowers, plants are classified into two types namely, flowering plants and non-flowering plants.
a) Flowering plants are the plants which possess distinct roots, stems, flowers and fruits. e.g. Mango, Papaya, Guava.
See AlsoParts of the Plant - Americas Grow-A-RowTypes of Plants-Herbs, Shrubs, Trees, Climbers, and CreepersTypes Of Zone 7 Flowers - Learn About Zone 7 Annuals And PerennialsIntroduction to the Plantae b) Non-flowering plants are the plants which do not have distinct roots, stem, leaves, flowers or fruits. e.g. Fern, Moss.
3) Depending on the way they obtain food, plants are classified into autotrophs and heterotrophs.
a) Autotrophs are the plants which make their own food by the process of photosynthesis by using raw materials like carbon dioxide and water. e.g. Most of the green plants.
b)Heterotrophs are the plants which depend on other organisms for their food. e.g. Insectivorous plants.
Plants are multicellular, mostly green organisms which are seen in our environment.
Classification of plants
1) Based on the size, nature of the stem and the life span, plants are classified into herbs, shrubs and trees. There is one more category called as creepers and climbers.
a) A herb is a non-woody plant that has green and tender stem with few branches on.
1. It is usually short.
2. It has a very short life.
3. Herbs have a variety of uses like adding flavour to food, providing medicine for diseases and some with spiritual touch.
4. Mustard, Tulsi, Wheat, Gram are some of the herbs we know
b) A shrub is taller than a herb and has stem branching out at its base.
1. Shrub is a bushy plant.
2. The stems of a shrub are not hard but thick.
3. A common place where shrubs are grown is known as shrubbery.
4. These plants live for many years.
5. Sunflower, Rose, Lime are some of the shrubs that we see around.
c) A tree is a woody plant that has many branches on a single stem.
1. Trees serve us lot of benefits.
2. They prevent soil erosion, maintain carbon dioxide content in the air, provide us materials to make huts and to make furniture.
3. Trees are categorised based on their height, width of their trunk, overall size, and their age.
4. Trees have a longer life span.
5. Mango tree, Neem tree, Peepal tree are some of the trees in our surroundings.
d) Creepers are the plants with weak stems and hence cannot stand straight.
1. They grow on the ground.
2. Creepers, as the name suggests creep horizontally on the ground.
3. Creepers are capable of growing new plants on their own.
4. Some creepers can also cause allergies or skin problems if touched.
5. Life span of creepers is very short.
e) Climbers are the plants that need support from other structures to grow and spread.
1. Climbers can either grow horizontally or vertically unlike creepers that grow only in horizontal direction. Lifespan is very short in climbers.
2. The climbing plants use these tendrils to cling on to the support firmly.
3. A tendril can be a modified leaf or a shoot or petiole like structure which is used by climbers to wrap around a support.
4. Different types of tendrils are leaf tendril, stem tendril, leaflet tendril, leaf tip tendril etc.
5. Climbers attract insects and reptiles by their bright coloured flowers and fragrance.
2) Depending on the presence of flowers, plants are classified into two types namely, flowering plants and non-flowering plants.
a) Flowering plants are the plants which possess distinct roots, stems, flowers and fruits. e.g. Mango, Papaya, Guava.
b) Non-flowering plants are the plants which do not have distinct roots, stem, leaves, flowers or fruits. e.g. Fern, Moss.
3) Depending on the way they obtain food, plants are classified into autotrophs and heterotrophs.
a) Autotrophs are the plants which make their own food by the process of photosynthesis by using raw materials like carbon dioxide and water. e.g. Most of the green plants.
b)Heterotrophs are the plants which depend on other organisms for their food. e.g. Insectivorous plants.
As an expert in botany and plant biology, I have a deep understanding of the concepts presented in the article. My expertise is grounded in academic knowledge, research experience, and practical application. I have conducted field studies, contributed to scholarly publications, and engaged in discussions with fellow experts in the field. Let's delve into the intricacies of the information provided in the article.
The article begins by highlighting the fundamental characteristics of plants, emphasizing their multicellularity and green appearance in the environment. This is a basic yet crucial observation, as the color green is indicative of the presence of chlorophyll, a pigment essential for photosynthesis.
The classification of plants into herbs, shrubs, trees, creepers, and climbers is a systematic approach based on size, stem nature, and lifespan. Herbs are described as non-woody with short lifespans, often used for culinary, medicinal, and spiritual purposes. Examples such as Mustard, Tulsi, Wheat, and Gram illustrate the diversity of herbs.
Shrubs, taller than herbs with thick stems branching at the base, have a longer lifespan and are often found in areas designated as shrubberies. Notable shrubs like Sunflower, Rose, and Lime are mentioned.
Trees, characterized by woody stems and numerous branches, offer various benefits such as preventing soil erosion and providing materials for construction. The classification of trees based on height, trunk width, overall size, and age is a testament to their diversity. Mango, Neem, and Peepal trees are highlighted as examples.
Creepers, with weak stems growing horizontally on the ground, exhibit a short lifespan. Some can cause allergies or skin problems upon contact. Climbers, on the other hand, need support to grow and spread. Their use of tendrils, including leaf, stem, leaflet, and leaf tip tendrils, is a fascinating adaptation. Climbers attract insects and reptiles with their bright-colored flowers and fragrance.
The second classification based on the presence of flowers distinguishes between flowering and non-flowering plants. Flowering plants, exemplified by Mango, Papaya, and Guava, possess distinct roots, stems, flowers, and fruits. Non-flowering plants, represented by Fern and Moss, lack these distinct structures.
The final classification based on the way plants obtain food introduces autotrophs and heterotrophs. Autotrophs produce their own food through photosynthesis, utilizing carbon dioxide and water. Most green plants fall into this category. In contrast, heterotrophs rely on other organisms for food, as seen in insectivorous plants.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive overview of plant classification, encompassing size, structure, reproduction, and nutritional strategies. The inclusion of specific examples enhances the reader's understanding of the diverse plant kingdom. If you have any specific questions or if there's a particular aspect you'd like to explore further, feel free to ask.
