Chapter notes
IntroductionPlants and Trees
Plants are living things that grow in the soil.
- You can find plants everywhere: in gardens, parks, farms, and even on windowsills at home or school.
- Plants come in different sizes. Some are very tall, like big trees, and some are very small, like tiny herbs.
Types of Plants1. Trees
- Trees are the tallest and strongest plants.
- They have a thick, hard stem called a trunk that holds the tree up straight.
- Trees have many branches and leaves.
- Trees are very important because they give us shade, fresh air, and fruits.
Different trees look different:
- The banyan tree has a big, thick trunk and strong roots that grow above the ground.
- The pine tree has a tall, thin trunk and cone-shaped leaves called needles.
2. ShrubsShrubs
- Shrubs are smaller than trees but bigger than herbs.
- They have hard stems but are not as tall as trees.
- Shrubs look like bushes and usually have many branches close to the ground.
- Examples of shrubs are the rose plant which has beautiful flowers, and the cotton plant which gives us cotton to make clothes.
3. HerbsHerbs
- Herbs are small plants with soft, green, and bendable stems.
- Their stems are easy to break if you try.
- Herbs usually live for a short time, like one season or one year.
- Examples include tomato plants that give us tomatoes, and coriander plants which we use to add flavor to our food.
4. ClimbersClimbing Plants
- Climbers are special plants that have weak stems.
- They cannot stand straight on their own.
- They climb on walls, trees, or fences by holding on with their tendrils or stems.
- Some climbers spread on the ground too.
- An example is the money plant which often climbs on walls or sticks.
Plants That Give Us FoodVegetablesVegetables
- Many plants give us vegetables that we eat every day.
- Vegetables grow in different parts of plants like roots, stems, or leaves.
- Examples:
- Potatoes grow underground as roots.
- Onions also grow underground.
- Brinjals (eggplants) grow above the ground on plants.
- Potatoes grow underground as roots.
- Onions also grow underground.
- Brinjals (eggplants) grow above the ground on plants.
GrainsGrains
- Grains are seeds from plants that we use to make our daily food like bread and rice.
- Some common grains are:
- Rice. grown in wet fields called paddies.
- Wheat. used to make flour for roti, bread, and cakes.
- Pulses (dal). small seeds like lentils and beans that are full of protein.
- Rice. grown in wet fields called paddies.
- Wheat. used to make flour for roti, bread, and cakes.
- Pulses (dal). small seeds like lentils and beans that are full of protein.
Fruits
- Fruits grow from flowers on plants or trees.
- They are usually sweet and juicy and are good for our health.
- Examples of fruits are:
- Apples. grow on apple trees.
- Bananas. grow on banana plants.
- Watermelons. grow on vines on the ground.
- Pineapples. grow from the center of a spiky plant.
- Apples. grow on apple trees.
- Bananas. grow on banana plants.
- Watermelons. grow on vines on the ground.
- Pineapples. grow from the center of a spiky plant.
Why Are Plants Important?Essential Plant Benefits
- Plants give us food to eat every day.
- They give us fresh air to breathe by making oxygen.
- Plants help keep the soil healthy and stop it from washing away.
- Many animals live in plants or use them for food and shelter.
- We also get medicines, clothes (like cotton), and wood from plants.