Plant Part	structure and definitions	function/ examples	use
root	contains xylem and phloem; epidermis, parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma. apical meristem located at the tip root cap protects ends root hairs increase surface area tap root: one main root with small roots extending out (ex: carrot) fibrous root: all roots approximately the same diameter	absorbs nutrients and water; anchors plant; stores food; conducts materials to the stem.	food
stem	contains xylem and phloem; epidermis, parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma. apical meristem located at the tip stolon: horizontal underground stem that extends to spread plants.	supports leaves, flowers; transports materials between the roots and leaves; storage; photosynthesis; underground storage (potato tubers)	wood (an accumulation of xylem); food
leaf	contains xylem, phloem; epidermis; waxy cuticle; parenchyma, collenchyma, sclerenchyma; palisade and spongy mesophyll; stomata (openings in the underside of the leaf used in gas exchange)	photosynthesis food storage (onions)	food; spices; oils; waxes; fibers; drugs; insecticides
flower	four whorls: calyx made of sepals; used for protection. corolla made of petals; attracts pollinators. androecium made of stamens (anther and filament); produces pollen grains. gynoecium made of pistil (stigma, style, and ovary); produces egg.	functions in sexual reproduction of angiosperms	decoration; food
fruit	ripened ovary or receptacle endocarp, mesocarp, and exocarp	protects seed; disperses seed	food
seed	cotyledon (embryonic seed leaf): epicotyl; hypocotyl; radicle; seed coat	protects and feeds plant embryo	food
cone	scales and seeds	reproductive organ of conifers	food; decoration
parenchyma	basic unspecialized plant tissue	stores food	food (apples made of mostly parenchyma tissue)
collenchyma	living tissue with thick cell walls	provides flexible support in young plants, leaves	food (celery is primarily collenchyma tissue)
sclerenchyma	tissue with thickened walls; dead at maturity	rigid support	fibers; rope; jute gives pears gritty texture
non-vascular plants	contain no vessels spore-bearing plants	examples: moss, liverworts. need water to reproduce.	ground cover
ferns	vascular spore bearing plants frond: leaf fiddlehead: new uncurled leaf rhizome: horizontal underground stem	need water to reproduce.	ornamental
gymnosperms	needle or scale-like leaves pollen cone: male ovate cone: female gymnosperm: naked seed	examples: conifers (pine, spruce, fir); juniper, arbor vitae	food; building materials (soft woods missing fibers and vessel elements)
monocots	angiosperm with one cotyledon parallel leaf venation flower parts in multiples of threes vascular bundles are scattered no vascular cambium fibrous root system do not produce woody tissues	examples: iris, lily, daffodil, corn, grass	food; major grains
dicots	angiosperm with two cotyledons net venation in leaves flower parts in fours or fives vascular bundles in rings vascular cambium present tap root system may produce wood and bark	examples: rose, trees, cucumber	building materials (hardwoods contain tracheids and vessel elements); food

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