Getting to Know Plants (NCERT Ch. 7)

• Classify plants as herbs, shrubs, trees, and climbers/creepers based on stem type.
• Identify the parts of a leaf (lamina, veins, midrib, petiole) and types of venation (parallel/reticulate).
• Identify the parts of a flower and the functions of root, stem, leaf, flower.

1. Herb — a plant with a soft, green, short stem (e.g., wheat, tomato).
2. Shrub — a plant with a hard but relatively short, branching stem near the base (e.g., rose, hibiscus).
3. Tree — a plant with a hard, thick, tall, woody stem with branches high up (e.g., mango, neem).
4. Climbers use tendrils/other supports to climb; creepers have weak stems that spread along the ground.
5. Venation: parallel venation (veins run parallel, e.g., grass) vs reticulate venation (net-like veins, e.g., peepal).
6. Root function: absorbs water/minerals, anchors the plant. Stem: transports water/food, supports the plant. Leaf: prepares food via photosynthesis.

A plant has a soft green stem about 30 cm tall. Is it a herb, shrub, or tree?

Soft, green, short stem = characteristics of a herb.

• Confusing shrubs (branching near the base) with trees (branching well above ground).
• Mixing up climbers (use support/tendrils) with creepers (spread along the ground).
• Assuming all leaves have the same venation pattern.

• Give one example each of a herb, a shrub, and a tree.
• What type of venation does a banana leaf usually show?

Open the Practice tab for graded questions on Getting to Know Plants (NCERT Ch. 7).