Visible differences between plants


There are many interesting differences between plants and their parts. You can compare plants by their size, shape and colour of roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruit and seeds.


Roots, stems and leaves Let’s compare the carrot plant and onion plant in Figure 4.


Figure 4 A carrot and an onion plant


The most obvious part of the carrot plant is its big orange root. This is the part we call the “carrot”. The root is fat at one end and thin at the other. Fine little roots grow out of the main root. The carrot plant has a very short stem – this is the bit between the top of the carrot and the leaf stalks. The leaves are feathery.


Now look at the onion plant. It has a small clump of roots that grow out from its stem. The roots look like a little moustache, or beard. The bottom of its stem is swollen – this is the part we call the “onion”. The onion plant has long leaves. If you cut them, you will see that they are hollow inside, like drinking straws.


Flowers, fruit and seeds


When we think of a sunflower plant, we think of the flowers. When we think of a peach tree, we think of the fruit. Both these plants produce flowers, fruit and seeds.


20 Strand 1: Natural Sciences: Life and living; Technology: Structures


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