Plants are complex living organisms, just like you and me. Plants make and consume their own food and use it to grow and develop to reproduce. Each of the plant’s organs play a vital role in the plant’s survival. Understanding the function of plants can make you more successful in the garden.
Roots
Roots anchor a plant in the soil and absorb air, water, and nutrients. There are two main types: fibrous roots, which spread widely, and taproots, which grow deep to access moisture. Healthy roots are essential for a plant’s overall well-being and nutrient uptake.

Stems
Stems provide structural support and transport water and nutrients between roots, leaves, and flowers. Stems can be herbaceous (soft) or woody (hard) and may store food and water. Fun Fact: potatoes are a type of stem!

Leaves
Leaves capture sunlight for photosynthesis. They maximize light absorption and have small openings called stomata for gas exchange. Leaf shapes vary, helping plants adapt to different environments, and healthy leaves are important for energy production. Fun Fact: Did you know that cactus spines are modifed leaves? The more you know!

Shoots
Shoots are young stems and leaves that represent new growth. Environmental factors like light and water availability affect their growth, making healthy shoots important for continued growth and reproduction.

Flowers
Flowers are the reproductive structures of plants, classified as perfect (having both male and female parts) or imperfect (male or female). They are crucial for sexual reproduction and seed formation, while some plants also reproduce asexually, ensuring survival in various environments.

Fruits and Seeds
Plants sexually reproduce by growing fruits from fertilized flowers. Fruits have a function; they are a means to protect and spread the seeds they contain to ensure the next generation continues. Seeds are reproductive structures that hold an embryo and food to support its early growth. Think of a chicken egg! Their hard outer shell protects them until the right conditions for germination arise. Seeds may remain dormant for days to years, but when conditions are right, they will take root and begin to grow.

Summary
Plants are essential to survival on Earth, producing the air we breathe, the food we eat, and absorbing some of our waste. Understanding the roles of roots, stems, leaves, shoots, flowers, fruits, and seeds is knowledge that makes for a better gardener.
Have a question?
If you have any questions about gardening in Central Florida, please contact UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County at 352-518-0156. For more information on UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County Community Gardens, and how you can join one, visit http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pasco/. Supervising Agent: Dr. Whitney Elmore.
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UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County Resources
- UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County
- Whitney Elmore’s Podcast: Rooted in Florida
- Understanding Soil pH: The Key to Successful Gardening
- Plant Food: Sunlight or Fertilizer?
- The Basics of Botany
- What Kind of Plant is Best for Your Garden?
- Understanding USDA Plant Hardiness Zones
- Principle No. 4: Mulch
- Ways to water: Overhead Irrigation
- Community Gardens in Pasco County: Get Involved
- Gardening Successfully in Florida’s Summer Heat
- Starting at the Bottom: Soil and Garden Health