Grouping by Height and Stem
Plants are commonly classified into three main categories based on their height, the nature of their stem, and where their branches appear.
1. Herbs
- Stem: Green, tender (soft), and thin.
- Height: Usually short.
- Branching: May not have many branches.
- Examples: Tomato, Mustard, Wheat, Grass.
2. Shrubs
- Stem: Hard but not very thick.
- Height: Medium (bushy appearance).
- Branching: Branches arise near the base of the stem (close to the ground).
- Examples: Rose, Hibiscus (Gudhal), Lemon.
3. Trees
- Stem: Hard, thick, and brown (often called a trunk).
- Height: Tall.
- Branching: Branches appear higher up on the stem, far above the ground.
- Examples: Mango, Neem, Peepal, Deodar.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Herb | Shrub | Tree |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stem Color | Green | Brown | Brown |
| Stem Hardness | Tender/Soft | Hard | Hard & Woody |
| Stem Thickness | Thin | Medium | Thick |
| Branching | Little/None | Near Base | High up |
Other Plant Types
- Creepers: Plants with weak stems that cannot stand upright and spread on the ground (e.g., Pumpkin, Watermelon).
- Climbers: Plants with weak stems that take support of neighboring structures to climb up (e.g., Money plant, Pea plant, Grapevine).