Plant stems and how they support the rest of the plant

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Plant stems

Stems space themselves out and hold the leaves up to get sunlight and air.

Stems bear the leaves, buds, flowers, and fruits of the plant.

Stems help to transport food and water throughout the plant. Every branch and stem on a plant consists of vascular bundles, which include tiny tubes called xylem and phloem.

Xylem transports water and minerals from the roots.

Phloem transports sugars from the leaves.

Stems can also store a large amount of food in plants such as , potato, ginger, onion, cactus, and sugar cane (please note some stems can be above and below ground).