Give the explanation of modification of …

Modifications of stem

• For storage of food- Underground stems of potato, ginger, turmeric, zaminkand, Colocasia are modified to store food in them.

• For support- Tendrils which develop from axillary buds, are slender and spirally coiled and help plants to climb. Example- gourds

• For protection- Axillary buds of stems may also get modified into woody, straight and pointed thorns, which protect plants from browsing animals. Example- Citrus

• For photosynthesis- Some plants of arid regions modify their stems into flattened or fleshy cylindrical structures, which contain chlorophyll and carry out photosynthesis. Example-

• For spread and vegetative propagation-
• Underground stems of some plants spread to new niches and when older parts die new plants are formed. Example- grass and strawberry.

• In some plants, a slender lateral branch arises from the base of the main axis and after growing aerially for some time arch downwards to touch the ground. Example- mint and jasmine

• A lateral branch with short internodes and each node bearing a rosette of leaves and a tuft of roots is found in aquatic plants. Example- Pistia
• The lateral branches originate from the basal and underground portion of the main stem, grow horizontally beneath the soil and then come out obliquely upward giving rise to leafy shoots. Example- banana, pineapple.