Stem

What Does Stem Mean?

A stem is the main structural support for most complex plants. The stem is essentially the skeleton of a plant that supports the leaves in which photosynthesis takes place.

A complex plant is comprised of three main components: the roots, the stem, and the leaves.

Maximum Yield Explains Stem

A stem is supported by the root system of a plant and will never grow taller than the plant’s root system can support. In other words, a stem is naturally proportionate to the supporting roots and the number of leaves it can support and feed.

A stem is also the central route all complex plants use to move nutrients to their leaves so photosynthesis can take place and chlorophyll is produced.

All nutrients are moved through the stem. In trees this same process occurs through the outer epodermic layer, the bark.

When a seed germinates, the stem emerges first as a seedling with the first leaf nodules present. Extending upward in harmony with the supporting roots, a stem grows upward toward the sun and eventually forms leaves.

A stem can also be used for plant propagation through stem cuttings.