What is Classification?
Classification means putting things into groups based on how they are the same or different.
We do this all the time!
Example:
– Fruits vs.
Vegetables
– Toys vs.
Books
– Summer clothes vs.
Winter clothes
In science, we classify plants to learn more about them and organize them better.
Why Do We Classify Plants?
Plants are everywhere, and there are more than 390,000 types of plants in the world!
Scientists group them by:
Size
Shape
Structure
Seeds
Flowers
Where they grow
Example:
A rose plant is very different from a cactus, so they are placed in different groups.
Main Types of Plant Classification
Let’s break down plant classification into simple parts:
Based on Size and Structure
Plants come in three main sizes:
Herbs
– Small, green, and have soft stems
– Usually don’t grow very tall
– Live for a short time
Examples: Mint, Basil, Wheat, Spinach
Shrubs
– Medium-sized plants
– Have hard stems
– Are bushy and live longer
Examples: Rose, Hibiscus, Cotton
Trees
– Tall and strong
– Have thick trunks
– Live for many years
Examples: Mango Tree, Neem Tree, Banyan Tree
Based on Lifespan (How Long They Live)
Annuals
– Live for one season or one year
– Grow, flower, and die quickly
Examples: Sunflower, Marigold, Wheat
Biennials
– Live for two years
– First year: Grow leaves
– Second year: Flower and make seeds
Examples: Carrot, Cabbage, Beetroot
Perennials
– Live for many years
– Flower and bear fruit many times
Examples: Mango Tree, Banana Plant, Rose Bush
Based on Presence of Flowers
Flowering Plants (Angiosperms)
– Have flowers
– Make fruits with seeds inside
Examples: Apple Tree, Rose, Sunflower
Non-Flowering Plants (Gymnosperms and Others)
– Do not have flowers
– Make seeds in cones or do not have seeds at all
Examples: Fern, Pine Tree, Moss
Based on Seeds
Seed-Producing Plants
These plants make seeds to grow new plants.
Two Types:
– Angiosperms – Seeds inside fruit
Example: Mango, Apple, Tomato
– Gymnosperms – Seeds in cones
Example: Pine, Fir Tree
Seedless Plants
Reproduce using spores instead of seeds
Examples: Ferns, Mosses
Based on Plant Parts (Roots, Stems, Leaves)
Taproot Plants
– One thick main root
– Small roots grow from it
Examples: Carrot, Radish, Mango
Fibrous Root Plants
– Many thin roots
– All roots grow from one point
Examples: Grass, Wheat, Onion
Special Groups of Plants
Climbers and Creepers
Some plants need support to grow up or along the ground.
Climbers
– Weak stems
– Use support like walls or sticks to grow upward
Examples: Money Plant, Pea Plant, Grape Vine
Creepers
– Grow along the ground
– Have thin and weak stems
Examples: Pumpkin, Watermelon, Cucumber
Based on Habitat (Where They Live)
Plants live in different places like water, deserts, and forests.
They adapt to their surroundings!
Aquatic Plants (Water Plants)
– Live in water (ponds, lakes, rivers)
Types:
– Floating: Duckweed, Water Hyacinth
– Fixed: Lotus, Water Lily
– Underwater: Hydrilla
Desert Plants
– Grow in hot and dry places
– Store water in their stems
– Have small or no leaves
Examples: Cactus, Aloe Vera
Mountain Plants
– Found in cold areas
– Have needle-like leaves
– Grow slowly
Examples: Pine, Fir, Deodar
Rainforest Plants
– Get a lot of rain
– Have big leaves
– Grow very tall
Examples: Rubber Tree, Bamboo
Crop Plants vs. Wild Plants
a) Crop Plants
– Grown by farmers for food, clothes, or medicine
– Need care and attention
Examples: Rice, Wheat, Cotton, Sugarcane
b) Wild Plants
– Grow naturally in forests or fields
