Plants Around Us

We see different types of plants around us.

Plants are living things. They breathe and grow. They also reproduce. Most of the plants grow on land. Some plants grow in water. Plants are very useful to us. Some plants are big and strong. Some plants are small and weak.

Plants are living things that grow around us. We see plants in our homes, gardens, parks, roadsides, fields, and forests. Plants make our Earth green and beautiful. They are very important for all living beings.

What Are Plants?

Plants are living things that need air, water, sunlight, and soil to grow.
They cannot move from one place to another like animals, but they grow and make their own food.

Plants give us:

(i) Oxygen to breathe

(ii) Food to eat

(iii) Shade and shelter

(iv) Medicines and wood

Types of Plants:

Plants are of different types based on their size and shape.

Big Plants:

Tall, big and strong plants are called trees.

They have many branches.                             

They stand erect.

Trees have strong stem.

They live for many years.

The stem of a tree is called the trunk. Trees give us shade, fruits and wood.

Peepal tree, Banyan tree, Mango tree, Neem tree, Banyan, Coconut tree etc., are big plants.

Small Plants:

Small plants are smaller than trees.

Their stems are thinner and weaker. They need lesser space to spread. They are not very tall.

Shrubs, herbs, climbers and creepers are small plants.

Shrubs:

Shrubs are smaller than trees. They have small, thin, hard, woody stem and many branches. These branches grow close to the ground. They are medium in size and they live for several years.

• Shrubs are medium-sized plants.
• They have many thin branches.
• They are smaller than trees.

Rose, tulsi, jasmine, hibiscus, cotton etc., are shrubs.

Herbs:

Some small plants have soft and green stems. They are called herbs.Most herbs live only for a few months.

Grass, mint, wheat, sunflower, lady’s finger, etc., are herbs.    

Herbs are smaller than shrubs.

They need the support of another plant or sticks to stand. Those plants are called climbers. Climbers have tendrils to hold the support.

They have soft, green and thin stems. They can stand erect on the ground. They are seasonal plants.

• Herbs are small plants
• They have soft and green stems
• They usually live for a short time

Examples: Mint, Tulsi, Coriander

Climbers:

Stems of some plants are weak. They cannot stand erect on their own.

Examples:

Grapevine, pea, money plant, etc., are climbers.

• Climbers have weak stems
• They need support to climb

Creepers:

Some plants crawl along the ground. They are called creepers.

Creepers have weak stem.

They cannot stand erect.

Examples:

Pumpkin, water-melon, bottle gourd, etc., are some common creepers.

• Creepers have very weak stems.
• They grow along the ground.

Thorny Plants / Desert Plants:

Some plants have thorns. Animals do not eat such plants. Such plants are called thorny plants.          

Examples:

Some thorny plants are cactus, rose and bougainvillea.

• Desert plants grow in hot and dry places.
• They store water in their stems

Water Plants:

Some plants grow in water.

They are called water plants.

Examples:

Water lily, lotus, hydrilla, water chestnut, etc., are water plants.

• Water plants grow in water.
• Some float, some stay under water.

Different types of leaves of different plants around us:

Most plants have leaves. Leaves are of different sizes and shapes. Leaves are important parts of a plant.

Some plants have big leaves.

Papaya, lotus, banana have big leaves.

Some plants have small leaves.

Neem and tamarind have small leaves.

Leaves of most plants are green in color. They prepare food for plants.

Life span of plants:

Some plants like banyan tree and neem tree live for hundreds of years.

Some plants like pea, sunflowers and rice live only for a few months.

Parts of a Plant:

Every plant has different parts, and each part has a special job.

I. Root:

Grows under the soil.

Holds the plant firmly.

Absorbs water and minerals.

II. Stem:

Holds the plant upright.

Carries water and food.

III. Leaves:

Make food for the plant.

Green in color.

IV. Flower:

The most beautiful part.

Helps in making fruits and seeds.

V. Fruit:

Protects the seeds.

Many fruits are eaten by us.

VI. Seed:

Grows into a new plant.

How Do Plants Make Food?

Plants make their own food using:

• Sunlight
• Air
• Water

This process is called photosynthesis.

Leaves prepare food for the plant.

Importance of Plants:

Plants are very important for life on Earth.

• Give us oxygen.
• Provide food for humans and animals.
• Give medicines.
• Prevent soil erosion.
• Keep the environment clean.
• Provide shade and shelter.

How to Take Care of Plants?

We should love and care for plants.

• Water plants regularly.
• Do not pluck leaves and flowers.
• Plant more trees.
• Do not cut trees unnecessarily.

How Plants Grow

Food from Plants

First Grade

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