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The Structure of a Stem

The Structure of a Stem
Reading Level
     edHelper's suggested reading level:   grades 6 to 8
     Flesch-Kincaid grade level:   5.63

Vocabulary
     challenging words:    pith, girth, xylem, southwestern, estimate, stump, barrier, corky, provides, material, divide, woody, layer, contrast, rainfall, decay
     content words:    United States

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The Structure of a Stem
By Cindy Grigg 		  
1     Stems are considered to be plant organs. An organ is a group of tissues that performs a specialized task. The stem of a plant has two important jobs. It carries substances between the plant's roots and leaves. It also provides support for the plant and holds up the leaves toward the sun. In addition, some stems provide storage for the plant. A saguaro cactus, for example, stores water in its stem. Asparagus plants store food for the plant in their stems.
 
2     Stems vary in size and shape. Some stems, like trees' stems, are the biggest and most easily seen part of the plant. Other stems, like those of a cabbage, are short and hidden.
 
3     Stems can be either herbaceous or woody. Herbaceous stems are soft. Some plants that have herbaceous stems are dandelions, most flowers, and tomato plants. You can easily break these stems. In contrast, woody stems are hard and rigid. Maple trees, pine trees, and roses all have woody stems.

Paragraphs 4 to 9:
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