Stem
/stɛm/
Definition
Stem refers to the main aboveground plant structure that supports leaves, buds, flowers, and fruits, and connects them to the roots. It contains nodes, where leaves or buds attach, and internodes, the spaces between them. A stem also transports water and nutrients through vascular tissue and may store food. In some plants, stems are woody; in others, they stay soft and green.
Function in Plants
- Support for leaves and flowers: The stem positions leaves toward light and holds flowers and fruits where pollinators and seed dispersers can reach them. Its length and branching pattern strongly influence a plant’s shape and spacing.
- Transport between roots and leaves: Inside the stem, xylem carries water and minerals upward, while phloem moves sugars and other products of photosynthesis through the plant. Damage to these tissues can slow growth or cause wilting.
- Storage and survival: In some plants, the stem stores water or carbohydrates for dry periods, dormancy, or regrowth after stress. Thickened forms such as rhizomes, tubers, and corms are examples of this role.
- Clues for identification and care: Surface texture, nodes, internodes, and whether the stem is woody or soft help with plant identification. These features also guide pruning, staking, and propagation by cuttings, since new roots and shoots often form at nodes.
Related Terms
Node
Node refers to the point on a plant stem where leaves, buds, branches, or flowers attach or can develop. It is a…
Internode
Internode refers to the section of a plant stem between two nodes, the points where leaves, buds, or branches attach…
Terminal bud
Terminal bud refers to the bud at the very tip of a stem or shoot. It contains the shoot apical meristem, a region of…
Leaf axil
Leaf axil refers to the upper angle formed where a leaf stalk or leaf base joins the stem. It is a plant structure and…
Petiole
Petiole refers to the stalk that attaches a leaf blade to the stem. It is a plant structure found in many, but not all…
Vascular tissue
Vascular tissue is the plant transport system, made of xylem and phloem. Xylem carries water and dissolved minerals…
Ray
Ray refers to one of the strap-shaped outer florets in the flower head of plants in the daisy family, such as…