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Special Structures Not all plants look the same. Each plant is unique, they have different flower, stems, leaves and root structures. Specialized Leaves There are various types of leaves among plants. Each gives the plant an unique advantage. Examples of the different types of leaves includes: Thick leaves that are used for storing water (succulents-have fleshy structures that efficiently store water. Many succulents have also developed thorns for protection.), there are long twisting vine-like leaves that can wrap around and dig in for support, there's also thorns, this is mainly for protection. Flowers There's a wide variety of flowers available whether it be the colour of the flower which is used to attach different insects and animals, the size of the flower as the bigger the flower the more insect to assist with pollination. The variety is often dependent on what kind of creature helps out with the pollination. Stems Stems are used to store water as it is very efficient to develop a protected area. Think about a plant found in the desert where it is hot and water is scares, e.g. a cactus (which is just stem and trunk, no leaves). Having no leaves means very little evaporation on hot days. Other extremes are plants with no stem. They could grow one, being vascular plants, but they have found it to be an advantage to stay near the ground. Vines are another extreme. The bark of a tree or plant can also perform a specific function. Corks in wine bottles are actually from the bark of a tree (cork tree). Some bark has been designed to peel away as the tree grows. Other types of bark are very thick to protect the plant from animals and insects. Epiphytes - Specialized Roots Not all plants even live in the ground. Some specialized plants called epiphytes actually live on the side of other trees or on rocks. They are able to collect water themselves but do not use roots to gather it up. Their roots have been specialized to dig in or grab on to the larger object. They don't always hurt the trees; they just hang out on the outside. Epiphytes can include some seedless species, bromeliads, and orchids. There are also epiphyte species that can grow very large and even break tree limbs. They can suck nutrients away from the tree and weaken it over time. Several ficus species are killer parasitic epiphytes. Reference: http://www.biology4kids.com/files/plants_structure2.html

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Special Structures

Not all plants look the same. Each plant is unique, they have different flower, stems, leaves and root structures.

Specialized Leaves

There are various types of leaves among plants. Each gives the plant an unique advantage. Examples of the different types of leaves includes: Thick leaves that are used for storing water (succulents-have fleshy structures that efficiently store water. Many succulents have also developed thorns for protection.), there are long twisting vine-like leaves that can wrap around and dig in for support, there's also thorns, this is mainly for protection.

Flowers

There's a wide variety of flowers available whether it be the colour of the flower which is used to attach different insects and animals, the size of the flower as the bigger the flower the more insect to assist with pollination. The variety is often dependent on what kind of creature helps out with the pollination.

Stems

Stems are used to store water as it is very efficient to develop a protected area. Think about a plant found in the desert where it is hot and water is scares, e.g. a cactus (which is just stem and trunk, no leaves). Having no leaves means very little evaporation on hot days. Other extremes are plants with no stem. They could grow one, being vascular plants, but they have found it to be an advantage to stay near the ground. Vines are another extreme.

The bark of a tree or plant can also perform a specific function. Corks in wine bottles are actually from the bark of a tree (cork tree). Some bark has been designed to peel away as the tree grows. Other types of bark are very thick to protect the plant from animals and insects.

Epiphytes - Specialized Roots

Not all plants even live in the ground. Some specialized plants called epiphytes actually live on the side of other trees or on rocks. They are able to collect water themselves but do not use roots to gather it up. Their roots have been specialized to dig in or grab on to the larger object. They don't always hurt the trees; they just hang out on the outside. Epiphytes can include some seedless species, bromeliads, and orchids. There are also epiphyte species that can grow very large and even break tree limbs. They can suck nutrients away from the tree and weaken it over time. Several ficus species are killer parasitic epiphytes.

Reference:

http://www.biology4kids.com/files/plants_structure2.html