2. A tree, botanically, is defined as a woody plant
with numerous secondary branches supported
clearly off the ground on a main stem (called
trunk) and with conspicuous apical dominance.
Trees are immortal, some living almost up to
several thousand years; for example, the Great
Basin Bristlecone Pine is the oldest tree in the
world, and is 4844 years old! I'm sure it would
have an interesting tale to tell, if it could speak!
Most of the fruits we eat are borne on trees.
Trees
3. Mango Tree Narra Tree Apple Tree
Acacia Tree
This is are the examples of Trees:
4. Unlike a tree, a shrub is much shorter (never
more than 8 m tall) and lacks a primary stem or
trunk. Shrubs are usually quite messy, with many
secondary branches. However, a well-trimmed
shrub is a pleasing sight. Shrubs are intermediate
between herbs and trees, and can be cultured to
develop into herbs or trees, depending on the
cultivation conditions. Hardened shrubs may
evolve into tree-like plants. However, they can still
be identified as shrubs. Shrubs may be evergreen
or may shed their leaves at maturity (deciduous).
Shrubs
6. Herbs are non-woody flowering plants. Commonly, a
herb is a plant that is usually cultivated for
economical gains by means of selling its parts
(particularly flowers, leaves, seeds, and sometimes
stem). Herbs are quite small in size (usually not
more than several feet off the ground). Herbs have
been largely cultivated by humans for their
culinary, medicinal and / or cosmetic value and
importance. Herbs can be commonly cultivated in
small pots, as well as in the ground. Many people
prefer growing herbs for the use in different human
aspects, and also because they do not require much
space.
Herbs
8. Vines, or creepers, are those plants that need a solid
support for their growth. They are adapted to a
crawling kind of growth habit. They lack a strong, stiff
stem that will bear the weight of the plant. Majority of
the creepers show adaptations that enable them to
gain support by anchoring to a solid surface. For
example, many vines grow tendrils; these are curled
structures that twirl around and firmly hold on to a
solid vertical support and help the plant to grow.
Some vines develop thorns on their ventral side;
these cling onto rocks or walls and other similar
textured or uneven surfaces.
Vines
10. Grasses are in a sense herbaceous plants;
however, they cannot be classified as herbs. The main
difference between herbs and grasses is that herbs
have some kind of stem (though it is not stiff, sturdy or
woody); however grasses completely lack stems. They
might have a rhizome or bulb-like structure, but a true
stem is absent. Grasses have adapted to almost all
kinds of habitats - from marshes to deserts. They are
also widespread, in that they are found in almost every
part of the world. Grasses can be very short (as in
case of turfs) or very tall (as in case of food crops).
Grasses are hence very versatile forms of vegetation.
Grasses
12. 1.Desert Plants: These plants are adapted to
the arid and hostile environment of a desert.
These plants have the capability to store water.
They also have the ability to use water
efficiently. They usually have few or no
leaves, which greatly reduces transpiration.
Plant species like cacti and succulents, have
dense flesh which is capable of storing large
amounts of water. Several plants have
developed the typical spikes and spines to
prevent them from being eaten by animals.
Unusual Plants
13. 2.Carnivorous Plants: Carnivorous plants
normally grow in marshlands, bogs and
areas of waterlogged, acidic and nitrogen
poor soil (as in case of Pitcher plant);
however, they may be found on grasslands
as well (as in case of Purple Pitcher plant).
carnivorous plants get their nitrogen intake
by eating insects. The insect traps of a
carnivorous plants use different attractants
to invite prey. Other examples of
carnivorous plants include Venus Flytrap
and Utricularia.
14. 3.Epiphytes: They depend on other plants for
support growing on trunks and branches.
They are also dubbed 'air plants'. Mosses
and orchids are instances of epiphytic plants.
Though they are not parasitic, they can be
deleterious to their hosts. They have an
advantage over plants growing on the ground
as they have a relatively better access to
sunlight. They obtain nutrients from the air or
water around them. They use photosynthesis
for the process of nutrition.
15. 4.Aquatic Plants: These plants grow in
presence of abundant water. Aquatic plants
have a lot of adaptations that enable the to
survive the persistent wet conditions that
they grow in. For example, the stems are
unusually supple and bend easily with the
flow of water, or the water current. The
leaves have a thick waxy coating to prevent
water from collecting. The plant is also quite
buoyant (especially floating plants). Example
of aquatic plants are hydra, water hyacinth
and water lily.
