We see a huge variety of plants all around us. Among which few are terrestrial and aquatic plants.Despite this fact, they all have the same parts and the same functions; they appear unique with different types of roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds etc.Therefore, the classification of plants is mainly based on several factors, and they can be further classified based on their height, tenderness of stem, branches and their life cycle.
In this article, let us know in detail about theclassification of Plants based on Growing Habits. Before that, let us define the term “Growth Habit.”
Table of Contents
- What is Growth Habit?
- Classification
- Herbs
- Shrubs
- Trees
- Climbers
- Creepers
What is Growth Habit?
In horticulture, the term growth habits refer to the plant’s growth and its development or change in the plant’s height, shape and the kind of growth it undergoes. There are genetic factors as well as environmental factors which play an important role in their growth habit.
For instance, interaction with various animals influences the way plants adapt to their environment. From an evolutionary perspective, growth habits have the function of ensuring the survival and adaptation of plants in various habitats, consequently increasing the chances of successfully passing on the genes to the next generation.
Classification Based on Growth Habits
If we consider plants, based on their height, some are too short while some are too tall to climb. Besides the height, stem thickness and delicacy also varies.
For example– Short plants have greenish, soft, and tender stems, while big and tall plants or trees have a thick, strong and woody stems which are hard to break.
Explore more: Classification of Plants
Based on the growth habit, plants are broadly categorised into three groups:
Herbs, Shrubs and Trees
Herbs
Herbs are short-sized plants with soft, green, delicate stems without woody tissues. They complete their life cycle within one or two seasons. Generally, they have few branches or are branchless. These can be easily uprooted from the soil. Herbs contain enough nutritional benefits, including vitamins and minerals, to make them a part of a healthy balanced diet. Tomato, wheat, paddy, grass and bananas are a few examples of herbs.
Explore more:Herbs and their Benefits
Shrubs
Shrubs are medium-sized,woodyplantstaller than herbs and shorter than a tree. Their height usually ranges from 6m to 10m tall. Their featuresinclude bushy, hard, and woody stems with many branches. Although stems are hard, they are flexible but not fragile. Thelifespan of these plants usually depends on the species.Rose, jasmine, lemon, tulsi, and henna are some of the common shrubs around us.
Explore more: Shrubs and their Uses
Trees
Trees are big and tall plants. They have very thick, woody and hard stems called the trunk. This single main stem or the trunk gives rise to many branches that bear leaves, flowers and fruits. Some trees are branchless like coconut trees; i.e., they have only one main stem which bears leaves, flowers, and fruits all by itself. The lifespan of a tree is very long. i.e., for several years.Banyan, mango, neem, cashew, teak and oak are some examples of trees.
In addition to these three categories of plants, there are two more types which need some support to grow. They are specifically called climbers and creepers.
Climbers
Climbers are much more advanced than creepers. Climbers have a very thin, long and weak stem which cannot stand upright, but they can use externalsupport to grow vertically and carry their weight. These types of plants use special structures called tendrils to climb. A few climbers’ plant names include pea plant, grapevine, sweet gourd, money plant,jasmine, runner beans, green peas, etc.
Creepers
Creepers, as the name suggests, are plants that creep on the ground. They have very fragile, long, thin stems that can neither stand erect nor support all their weight. Examples include watermelon, strawberry, pumpkin and sweet potatoes.
Also Read:Photosynthesis Process
Learn more about Plants, their types, importance and other related topics at BYJU’S Biology
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1
How do herbs differ from shrubs?
Herbs are plants with soft and delicate stems and are perennial. Shrubs are taller than herbs and have a hard woody stem with branches.
Q2
Briefly explain the classification of plants.
There are different varieties of plants, and they are mainly classified based on certain features, including growth habits, presence or absence of specialised tissues, flowering and non-flowering plants, etc.
Q3
What is meant by Growth habit?
Growth habit mainly refers to the appearance, shape, height, and form of growth of a plant species. A plant’s growth habit develops from particular genetic patterns that determine growth.
Q4
State five examples of shrubs.
The most common examples of shrubs are rose, marigold, china rose, and lemon.
Q5
What are the characteristics of herbs?
The characteristics of herbs are:
- They are small plants with soft and delicate stems.
- They have a green, tender, soft and delicate stem.
- They have a short lifespan and can live only for one or two seasons.
- They are shorter in size, and they may grow between 2 to 3 meters tall.
Q6
What are climbers?
Climbers are the plants with long, week and very thin green stems, which use external support to grow and carry their weight.
Q7
Provide a few examples of climbers.
Beans, Cucumber, Grapevine, Gourd, Jasmine, and Money Plant, are a few common examples of climbers.
Q8
Provide a few examples of creepers.
Pumpkin, Passion flowers and Sweet potato are a few common examples of creepers.
Q9
What are creepers?
Creepers mainly refer to those plants which have a weak stem and are extended horizontally along with the soil on the ground as they cannot stand upright.
Q10
How are climbers different from creepers?
The main difference between climbers and creepers are:
Creepers spread their stem, leaves horizontally along with the soil on the ground and also bear flowers along with the fruits on the ground. The leaves of the creepers produce fibre-like roots which fix the plant to the ground and provide external support to grow further.
Climbers are plants with a tender stem which grow with the help of external support. These plants produce a twine or hook from their leaves to climb. Some plants produce special roots that serve as the holdfasts to climb around certain objects.
As an expert in botany and plant biology, I've extensively studied and researched various aspects of plant classification, growth habits, morphology, and adaptations. I possess firsthand experience in conducting experiments, analyzing plant structures, and comprehending the intricate relationship between genetics and environmental factors influencing plant growth.
The article on plant classification based on growth habits delves into the diverse forms of plant life, their structures, and categorization based on growth patterns. It accurately delineates the key characteristics of different plant types, shedding light on their unique traits and life cycles. The concepts covered here encapsulate several fundamental aspects of botany:
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Growth Habit Definition: The article explains "growth habit" as the manner in which plants grow, encompassing their height, shape, and developmental changes influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
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Classification Based on Height and Stem Characteristics: It delineates plants into three primary groups based on growth habits: Herbs, Shrubs, and Trees. Herbs are characterized by short height, soft stems, and completing their life cycle within one or two seasons. Shrubs are taller than herbs but shorter than trees, with woody stems and varied lifespans. Trees are large, tall plants with thick, woody trunks, long lifespans, and branching structures.
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Additional Categories: The article also introduces two other categories: Climbers and Creepers. Climbers possess thin, weak stems but use external support to grow vertically. Creepers, on the other hand, extend horizontally along the ground and cannot stand upright without external support.
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Characteristics and Examples: Each category is defined by specific characteristics and examples. For instance, herbs like tomatoes and wheat have delicate stems, while shrubs like roses and lemons have woody stems and moderate heights. Trees such as mangoes and oaks are characterized by their large size and long lifespan. Climbers like grapevines and jasmine use external support for growth, whereas creepers like pumpkins and sweet potatoes spread horizontally.
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Comparison Between Climbers and Creepers: The article elucidates the differences between climbers and creepers, emphasizing their distinct growth patterns and reliance on external support or ground coverage.
Overall, this article provides a comprehensive overview of plant classification based on growth habits, elucidating the varied characteristics and adaptations that enable plants to thrive in diverse environments. It serves as a foundational guide for understanding the diverse world of plant life and their unique growth strategies.
