structure of a plant

flower bud

Bud that opens and from which a flower grows.

radicle

Smallest offshoot of a plant’s root.

root system

The aggregate of the roots that anchor a plant to the soil and enable it to absorb water and mineral salts from it.

primary root

Underground extension of the stem resulting from growth of the radicle.

collar

Point where root and stem meet.

leaf

Usually thin and flat part of a vegetable that grows out of the stem and is specially adapted to capturing light and performing photosynthesis.

shoot

Seedling originating from a seed within the current year.

secondary root

Offshoot growing out of the primary root.

stem

Main part of the plant, extending from the soil to the terminal bud.

leaf node

Point at which a leaf or twig attaches to the stem.

twig

Offshoot growing out of the plant’s stem.

flower

Often colorful and fragrant part of certain vegetables that holds the reproductive organs; first it produces fruit, then seeds.

axillary bud

Bud that appears where an older leaf attaches to the stem; a twig will grow out of it.

terminal bud

Bud that grows at the end of the stem, enabling it to grow longer.

internode

Part of the stem located between two nodes.

root hairs

Root cell extensions that ensure the provision of water and mineral salts; they increase the surface area available for absorbing nutrients.

root cap

Casing that covers the root tip and protects the root from abrasion as it grows downward into the soil.