Different Types Of Plants

Trees

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.Most of the fruits we eat are borne on trees.

Shrubs

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).

Herbs

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.

Vines

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.

Grasses

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.

Unusual Plants

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.

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.

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.

Aquatic Plants

Aquatic plants supply oxygen, provide cover, and can be food for insects that are eaten by fish. Plants protect shorelines from wave erosion and serve as feeding and nesting habitat for waterfowl (ducks, geese, etc.). Aquatic plants are desirable and beneficial to fish communities but can cause problems with fishing by interfering with angler access.