Parts of a Plant

1Two systems

A flowering plant has two main systems:

• the root system, usually under the ground;
• the shoot system, above the ground: the stem, leaves, buds, flowers, fruits and seeds.

2Roots

There are two main kinds of root system:

• Tap root: one main, thick root that grows straight down, with smaller side roots. Examples: bean, avocado tree, carrot.
• Fibrous roots: many thin roots of about the same size, spreading like a beard. Examples: maize, sorghum, grass, banana.

Roots are covered near their tips with tiny root hairs.

3Stem

The stem holds the plant up. The places where leaves grow from the stem are called nodes. A bud is a small, young shoot that can grow into a new stem, leaves or a flower. Some stems are soft and green, like a bean's. Others are hard and woody, like the trunk of a eucalyptus tree.

4Leaves

Most leaves have a flat, thin leaf blade, a leaf stalk that joins it to the stem, and veins that carry water and food. The biggest vein down the middle is the midrib.

5Flowers, fruits and seeds

The flower often has colourful petals. After the flower is pollinated, part of it grows into a fruit, which holds the seeds. A bean pod is a fruit, and the beans inside are its seeds. Avocados and tomatoes are fruits too.

Try it yourself

Try each one first, then tap Show answer to check.