Published: Apr 09, 2025
Last Updated: May 17, 2025 12:40 PM

Parts of the Plant

In our gardens, schools, colleges, parks, near the roadside, in valleys, deserts, and fresh and saltwater—almost everywhere on the planet—we encounter various plants in various shapes and sizes.

Do all these plants have basic structures, or do they differ in their parts?

Yes. Like humans and animals, plants have specialised parts, each with a unique function.  All plants share parts that help them grow, reproduce, and survive. Learning these parts helps us understand how plants contribute to the ecosystem and our daily lives. 

In this article, we will explore the different parts of the plant through a diagram and discover how each part works together to help the plant grow and reproduce.

Structure and Function of Plants

Plants are fascinating organisms that play a crucial role in our environment. They are essential for life on Earth. 

Plants are made up of several parts, each with a specific function. The main parts of a plant include the roots, stem, leaves, flowers, and fruits. Each part helps the plant survive and grow.

Explore the parts of the plant! 

Here is the diagram showcasing the parts of plants:

Roots

Roots are like the plant's anchor and lifeline. They hold the plant in place and absorb water and nutrients from the soil.

Structure and Function of Plants

Structure of Roots  

Roots have different parts:

  • Root Cap: The root is covered at the apex by a thimble-like structure called the root cap. It protects the tender apex of the root as it makes its way through the soil
  • Root Hair: The thread-like structures are magnificent, delicate, and formed in the epidermal cells' region. These root hairs absorb water and minerals from the soil
  • Primary Root: The main root that  grows inside the soil
  • Lateral Roots: Smaller roots that branch out from the main root are called secondary and tertiary roots. 
Stem

The stem is the ascending part of the axis bearing branches, leaves, flowers and fruits. It develops from the plumule of the embryo of a germinating seed.

Structure and Function of Plants

Structure of a Stem 

Stem is generally green when young and later often becomes woody and dark brown. The stem bears nodes and internodes. The stem bears buds, which may be terminal or axillary. Other parts of a stem include:

  • Node: The region of the stem where leaves are born is called the nodes
  • Internode: The space between two nodes is called internodes
  • Cambium: A layer that helps the plant grow in thickness
  • Xylem & Phloem: Tissues inside the stem that carry water (xylem) and food (phloem) through the plant
Leaves

The leaf is a lateral, generally flattened structure borne on the stem. It develops at the node and bears a bud in its axil. Leaves originate from shoot apical meristems and are arranged in an acropetal order.

Structure and Function of Plants

Structure of a Leaf

A typical leaf consists of three main parts: Leaf base, petiole and lamina.

  • Leaf base: The leaf is attached to the stem by the leaf base and may bear two lateral small leaf-like structures called stipules
  • Petiole: The stalk that attaches the leaf to the stem
  • Blade: The flat part of the leaf where photosynthesis happens
  • Veins: Contain xylem and phloem and transport water and nutrients
  • Stomata: Small openings that allow gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide to enter and exit the leaf.
  • Lamina: The lamina, or the leaf blade, is the green expanded part of the leaf with veins and veinlets. 
Flowers

The flower is the reproductive unit in the angiosperms. It is meant for sexual reproduction. 

Structure and Function of Plants

Structure of a Flower

A typical flower has four floral whorls: calyx, corolla, androecium and gynoecium.

  • Calyx: The calyx is the outermost whorl of the flower, and the members are called sepals
    • Sepals: Sepals are green, leaf-like and protect the flower in the bud stage
  • Corolla: Corolla is composed of petals
    • Petals: Petals are usually brightly coloured to attract insects for pollination

Androecium: The androecium is the male reproductive part of a flower. It is composed of stamens.

  • Stamens: Stamen represents the male reproductive organ, consisting of a stalk, filament, and an anther
  • Anther: Each anther is usually bilobed, and each lobe has two chambers, the pollen-sacs
  • Pollen-sacs: The pollen grains are produced in pollen-sacs

Gynoecium

The gynoecium is the female reproductive part of the flower and is composed of one or more carpels.

  • Carpels: A carpel consists of three parts: stigma, style and ovary.
    • Style: It connects the ovary to the stigma
    • Stigma: It is usually at the tip of the style and is the receptive surface for pollen grains.
    • Ovary: It is the enlarged basal part on which lies the elongated tube, the style. Each ovary bears one or more ovules attached to a flattened, cushion-like placenta. 
Fruits

Fruit is a characteristic feature of flowering plants. Fruits are formed when a mature or ripened ovary develops after fertilisation. The fruit contains seeds that can grow into new plants.

If a fruit is formed without fertilisation of the ovary, it is called a parthenocarpic fruit. 

Structure and Function of Plants

Structure of a Fruit

The fruit generally consists of :

  • Exocarp (Skin): The outer covering that protects the seeds
  • Mesocarp (Flesh): The edible part of the fruit
  • Endocarp: The part surrounding the seeds
  • Seeds: A seed is a fertilised ovule containing several important parts that contribute to plant growth and reproduction. The four main parts of the seed include the seed coat, the embryo, the endosperm, and the perisperm.

Thus, each part of the plant functions together to help it grow, reproduce, and survive. 

RootsThe roots keep it grounded and nourished
StemThe stem provides structure and support
LeavesThe leaves prepare food
FlowersThe flowers help in the reproduction process
FruitsThe fruits help in seed dispersal

Also Read: Parts of a Flower

Conclusion

The parts of a plant are all interconnected and play an essential role in the plant’s growth, reproduction, and overall survival. 

Each part plays a vital role, from the roots that anchor the plant to the soil to the leaves that carry out photosynthesis and the flowers that allow the plant to reproduce. 

By learning about these parts, we gain a more profound gratitude for the natural world around us and understand how plants contribute to our environment and support life on Earth. 

For more information on the different parts of flowers, diagrams, and their functions, visit our blogs at https://www.jaincollege.ac.in/blogs

Join  JAIN College for top-notch Science, Commerce, and Arts programmes. Secure your path to success today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The root system is the plant axis's descending (growing downwards) portion.

The shoot system is differentiated into stems, leaves, flowers and fruits.

The leaf is a lateral outgrowth of a stem developed exogenously at the node.

The flower is a modified shoot meant for sexual reproduction.

Inflorescence refers to the process of arrangement of flowers on the floral axis.

A seed is a part of a plant that is developed after the fertilisation of ovules. When planted, seeds can grow into a new plant.

A seed is composed of a seed coat and an embryo.

Parthenocarpic fruits are a type of fruit formed without the ovary's fertilisation.

Plants play a primary and essential role as a food source and provide many other products, including medicines and raw materials, to produce various industrial products, including paper, spices, cosmetics, ornamentals, pencils, rubber, furniture, and other household products.

About the Author
Mekhala Joshi

JAIN College

JAIN PU College, a part of the renowned JGI Group, is committed to empowering students with quality education.

Beyond academics, the college ensures its online content reflects the same standard of excellence. Every blog and article is meticulously vetted and proofread by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy, relevance, and clarity. From insightful educational topics to engaging discussions, JAIN PU College's content is crafted to inform, inspire, and add value to its readers, reflecting the institution's commitment to intellectual growth and innovation.

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