For example, a rye plant can have more than 14 billion root hairs that make up a surface area about as large as a football field. Root hairs are often destroyed when a plant is dug from the soil. Careful transplanting reduces root hair damage. The stem is the main trunk of a plant. Buds and shoots develop on stems.
Stems provide structure and support for leaves, flowers and fruits.
They also carry nutrients and water. In some cases, stems also store food. Stems are generally upright and above ground, easy to locate and identify. However, there are many stems that grow below ground or are ground hugging. These stem modifications include corms, bulbs, rhizomes, runners, stolons, tubers and crowns.