The stem supports the leaves. Minerals and water travel up through the stem to the leaves. The stem also distributes the food made in the leaves to the rest of the plants.

In many plants, the stem divides into branches. The main axis is called the primary stem.

There are two types of stems: herbaceous and woody. Herbaceuous stems are soft, green and flexible. Grasses have herbaceous stems.

Woody stems are hard and thick. Trees and shrubs have a woody stem, called a trunk.

THE STEM