Plants Why do Plants Need Roots & Stems?

How Roots Help Plants…  The root system of a plant is often found below the ground where you can’t see it.  Roots take in water and materials called minerals from the soil.  The roots also store food made by the plant.

Taproots  Many plants such as carrots and dandelions have a large root called a taproot.  The taproot grows deep into the soil.  A taproot stores food for the plant.  Have you ever tasted a carrot or a beet?  If YES! Then you have eaten the taproot of a PLANT!

Roots that we eat  Beet  Radish  Carrot  Turnip

 At the tips of roots are tiny root hairs.  Plants take in water through their root hairs.  Water travels through the root hairs and into the plants stem and leaves. ‘The roots must take in water to replace water lost from the plants leaves.  Sunshine and hot air can dry a plant out!

How Stems Help Plants…  A plant’s stems hold up its leaves, flowers, and fruits.  Most stems have tubes that move water and minerals from the roots of plants to the leaves.  Other tubes carry food from the leaves of plants to the stems and roots.

Stolons  Some stems are called stolons and are thin and grow along the surface of the ground.  These stems can grow roots and a new plant.

Vines  Some stems called vines grow parts that wrap around objects that support the plant.

Cactus  Cactus stems swell up as they store water.  Cactus stems shrink as the plant uses water.  Cactus stems have a thick, waxy covering to help keep them from losing water.  This helps them survive in the desert.

Cactus

Underground Stems  Some stems grow underground.  When you eat a potato, you eat a stem part that stored food underground.  Underground stems can sprout new stems from buds.  These buds grow upward and become new plants.

Special Features  Some stems have special features that offer them protection.  For example thorns, spines, or stinging hairs to keep hungry animals from eating them.

Special Features