Diversity in Plants | Types of Plants | Let’s Explore World Around Us Book III | Periwinkle

Types of Plants These are different kinds of plants. Plants are classified on the basis of size, life span, place of growth and flowering pattern. Types of Plants on the Basis of Their Size Trees are plants with a long stem supporting branches and leaves. They are big in size and have a thick brown stem called the trunk. Common trees in your neighborhood are Neem, Banyan, Chiku, Gulmohar, Mango and Amaltas. Shrubs and bushes are smaller than trees. A shrub is distinctly different from a tree due to its shorter, thinner brown stem. Small shrubs are often termed as bushes. Fatsia japonica, Jasmine, Shoeflower and Pistachio are shrubs. Lavender, Periwinkle are bushes. Plants can be of different sizes. The green grass in the garden can also grow up to 30 meter high. The bamboo plant is one such example. Herbs are small plants with soft and green stems. They are used to flavor food, medicine or perfume. Basil, that is Tulsi, Coriander, Oregano, Mint, Grass and flowers like Balsam are a few common herbs. Creepers and climbers cannot stand erect as they have tender and green stems. Creepers grow along the ground. Melon, Bottle gourd, Pumpkin are some creepers. Climbers take support and climb walls, poles and tree trunks. Grapevine, Pea and Money plant are some climbers. Types of plants on the basis of Lifespan Annual plants are plants that have a lifespan of one year or a life cycle that completes in one season. They grow, bear fruits and seeds and then die, that is, they complete their life cycle within this duration. Wheat, Rice, Peas, Coriander, Marigold, Beans etc. are annual plants. Biennial plants have a life cycle that spans two seasons. In the first season, the plant grows and stores food and in the second season, it bears flowers, fruits, seeds and then dies. Beet, Cabbage, Celery, Lettuce, Carrots are biennial plants. Perennial plants are plants that grow for more than two seasons or two years. Most of the trees come under this category. Mango tree, Coconut tree, Neem tree, Banyan tree are perennial plants.