Here we describe the overall structure of a typical vascular plant. The following illustration defines the terminology used to describe the plant body. The root system is made up of only one type of organ - roots. In most plants, the roots are located below the soil surface. Their function is to anchor the plant in place and absorb water and minerals from the soil.
Roots usually branch extensively in order to explore as much soil volume as possible.
Some roots also have a storage function, for example carrots and sweet potatoes. The stem is the part of the shoot that supports the leaves. Its function is to hold the shoot upright, to transport water and minerals up to the leaves, and to transport food compounds downward to the roots and upward to growing tissues and flowers. Nodes Each leaf attaches to the stem at a node. A node is not a specific structure but simply the point of attachment.