What are plants

We generally recognize plants as living beings , generally green in color, which have adapted to the environment where they live and which are almost always fixed on the ground. However, their most characteristic feature is that they do not need to feed on other living beings to get the energy they need to survive. Their method of achieving this contribution is through a function called photosynthesis . This process, exclusive to them, is carried out through plant cells, called chloroplasts, which carry a substance called chlorophyll. Thanks to it, the plant will capture solar energy. To this is added the collection of water, mineral salts and carbon dioxide, necessary to produce organic matter for their subsistence.

Among the various functions of plants , the most important thing is that, during the photosynthesis process , plants release oxygen into the atmosphere, vital for the rest of the living beings that populate the earth. To learn more about the functions of vegetables, we encourage you to read this other post on The importance of plants . In addition, to learn more about what plants are, we recommend reading this article about the Kingdom Plantae: what it is, characteristics, classification and examples .

Most plants have three main parts in which they coincide: roots, stem and leaves. However, some also have flowers and fruits, with their seeds inside and others do not have these structures or have different ones. Learn a little more about plants and their parts in this overview:

• The roots are the underground organ of the plant, whose main function is to absorb water and nutrients from the soil, as well as to provide a solid grip. Here you can read more about Root Parts and their functions .
• The stem is the part of the plant that has the function of providing structure and support to the rest of the aerial organs, such as the leaves and the flowers or fruits. Learn more about the Parts of the stem and their functions with this post .
• The leaves are responsible for making food for the plant from the elements absorbed by the roots and sunlight, through the process of photosynthesis. Furthermore, they are also responsible for perspiration and respiration. In this link you will see more about the Parts of a sheet and their functions .
• Finally we have the flowers , which are a vital part of the sexual reproduction of angiosperms. The fertilized flowers will give rise to fruits , which protect the seeds while they are forming and will later help to propagate them. In these other links you will learn more about What are the parts of a flower and their functions , the Parts of the seed and their functions and the Parts of the fruit and their functions .

If you want more details about the Parts of a plant and their functions , with diagrams, you can consult this other article and this video of AgroCorrn.

To help you recognize the different types of plants that exist on our planet, we offer you a simple classification of them, so that you can identify and know them at a glance:

Green algae

This type of plant, although they are within the Protista kingdom, are considered primal plants as they are the first organisms on earth to carry out photosynthesis. Find out more about them here: What are green algae, characteristics, types and examples .

Embryophytes

Commonly known as terrestrial plants , they are those that grow and feed on the terrestrial soil. These are divided into two sub-classifications: vascular and non-vascular.

• Vascular or higher plants: these types of plants are made up of physical parts (root, stem, leaves, seed, flower and fruit) and vascular tissue to carry out the transport of nutrients. In turn, they are divided into: Vascular plants include: Pteridophytes and Spermatophytes. Within the latter they are classified into angiosperms and gymnosperms.
• Non-vascular : as its own indicates they lack a vascular tissue and, in general, they do not have the physical constitution. Within this group are some algae and ferns.

Bryophytes

The habitat of this type of plant, mainly mosses, usually requires areas with high humidity and uses surfaces such as tree trunks, rocks. In the same way, there are also species that prefer mountain areas and low temperatures. In this other post you will see more information about Bryophyte Plants: examples and characteristics .

There is a classification of plants according to aspects related to their reproduction, which focuses on whether they are gymnosperms or angiosperms:

• Gymnosperms: those plants that have a woody trunk, seeds like flowers, and usually develop in regions with a cold or temperate climate. They are usually evergreen. Species such as cypresses, pines or redwoods belong to this group. Expand this information with this post about Gymnosperm Plants: what they are, characteristics and examples .
• Angiosperms: they are distinguished by being plants with showy flowers, seeds and fruits. Another of its main characteristics is that the ovule is protected by the fruit and it can even contain several seeds. They are the most abundant type of plants on the planet. By clicking here you will see more information about Angiosperm Plants: what they are, characteristics and examples .

To finish understanding this classification, we also recommend you read this other article about the Difference between angiosperms and gymnosperms .

We call carnivorous plants those species that have evolved and developed the ability to obtain nutrients through the digestion of insects and even small mammals, reptiles and amphibians . Their techniques and strategies are very varied, generally using the production of sticky substances rich in sugars to attract insects to their different traps, where they will be absorbed and digested.

Learn much more about them by knowing these 9 types of carnivorous plants and their characteristics .

The use of medicinal plants dates back to Prehistory. Medicinal plants are known as the different plant species whose use is beneficial to human health. It can be used directly consumed as food, in infusions or even by direct application on the skin. In general, the industry uses its extracts or essential oils, which are much more powerful and should not be used without specific training, so it is vital to follow the doctor’s instructions when consuming them.

If you are interested in delving further into the world of these types of plants, here are some AgroCorrn guides:

• 50 Mexican medicinal plants and what they are for .
• 60 medicinal plants of Peru and what they are for .