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A stem may be unbranched, like that of a palm tree, or it may be highly branched, like that of a magnolia tree. Their main function is to provide support to the plant, holding leaves, flowers, and buds in some cases, stems also store food for the plant. Stems may be herbaceous (soft) or woody in nature. Stems are usually above ground, although the stems of some plants, such as the potato, also grow underground.
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They also vary in diameter, depending on the plant type. They may range in length from a few millimeters to hundreds of meters. Stems are a part of the shoot system of a plant. axillary bud: embryonic shoot that lies at the junction of the stem and petiole that gives rise to a branch or flower.petiole: stalk that extends from the stem to the base of the leaf.internode: a section of stem between two stem nodes.node: points of attachment for leaves, aerial roots, and flowers.An axillary bud gives rise to a branch or a flower it is usually found in the axil: the junction of the stem and petiole.The petiole is the stalk that extends from the stem to the base of the leaf.Plant stems always have nodes (points of attachments for leaves, roots, and flowers) and internodes (regions between nodes).Stems connect the roots to the leaves, helping to transport water, minerals, and sugars to different parts of the plant.Stems can be either unbranched or highly branched they may be herbaceous or woody.
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