Herbs, Shrubs and Trees: Plants are categorised into three categories based on their shape and size: herbs, shrubs, and trees. There are flowering plants and non-flowering plants among plants. Plants that grow on land are known as terrestrial plants, while aquatic plants thrive in water. Some plants are tall and powerful, while others are small, and a few are small.

Plants cannot move from one location to another. They are rooted to the ground because they can make their meal. Photosynthesis is the process through which plants prepare their food. On planet Earth, there are different types of plants. In this article, we will discuss about herbs and shrubs examples in depth. Learn more about the difference between herbs, shrubs, trees, and examples of creepers by scrolling down!

Classification of Herbs, Shrubs and Trees

All plants are not the same height. Some plants are too small with no branches and woody stems, and some plants are too tall with woody stems. The classification of plants is based on the size of stem, height, and soft nature of plants. Based on their size or growth, plants are classified into three types: herbs, shrubs and trees.

What is Growth?

Growth is nothing but a permanent increase in size and mass with time. Conditions for growth include sunlight, temperature, moisture, water, and air.

Herbs: Meaning

Plants that have soft, green, and perishable stems are called herbs.

Fig: Herb

LEARN ABOUT VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION IN PLANTS

Characteristics of Herbs

The characteristics of herbs that create the difference between herbs and shrubs are mentioned below:

• Herbs are small plants with delicate stems.
• Their stems are green in colour, soft, and tender in nature.
• They are short in size.
• Herbs’ lifespan is very short. They can only survive for one or two seasons.

Examples of Herbs: Maize, rice, mint, coriander, grass, etc.

Shrubs: Meaning

Plants with woody stems, with branches of almost equal size arising from the stem immediately above the soil, are called shrubs.

Fig: Shrub

Characteristics of Shrubs

The characteristics of Shrubs that creates the difference between herbs and shrubs are mentioned below:

• Shrubs are smaller than trees.
• These are usually around 3 meters tall.
• Shrubs grow bushy as the branches are grown near the ground level.
• They grow in all types of soil.
• Shrubs are seasonal and grow vigorously in a sunny environment.

Examples of Shrubs: Tulsi, Lemon, jasmine, Nerium, china rose, pomegranate, etc.

Trees: Meaning

Trees are tall and big plants and have one hard, woody stem called a trunk. Trees bear woody branches, leaves, and twigs at some distance above the ground. Coconut and palm are also called trees though they do not have branches.

Fig: Tree

Characteristics of Trees

Below we have provided the characteristics of trees:

• Trees have single, strong woody stems.
• The multiple branches are grown above the ground at a certain distance.
• They live for longer years.
• Trees have the ability to grow tall and increase in size in all dimensions.

Examples of Trees: Mango, neem, palm, banyan, etc.

Different Types of Plants

Creepers and climbers are some special types of plants classified on their growth habits. Some plants do not have strong stems like herbs, shrubs and trees. Few plants take external support to grow, and some plants crawl on the ground.

Climbers

Climbers are plants with weak, long, and thin green stems, which use external support like sticks, walls, trees, etc., to grow and carry their weight.

Fig: Climbers

Characteristics of Climbers

Below we have mentioned the characteristics of Climbers:

• Climbers have flexible, long stems with an abundance of soft tissues.
• Because of their soft tissues, they show rapid growth and development.
• Climbers have a special modification called tendrils to climb the walls or sticks.
• Xylem vessels are often wide and long.
• They can not stand upright. Hence, they need the support of walls, sticks, rods, etc., for their growth.

Examples of Climbers: Cucumber, grapevine, beans, gourd, money plant, etc.

Creepers

Creepers are plants with weak stems and grow horizontally along with the soil or the ground since they cannot stand upright.

Fig: Creepers

Characteristics of Creepers

Below we have provided the characteristics of Creepers:

• Creepers are plants with soft stems.
• They cannot stand erect on their own.
• They usually creep along the ground.
• The life span of creepers may be for one year or longer.

Examples of Creepers: Bottle gourd, watermelon, pumpkin, strawberry, etc.

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Difference Between Herbs, Shrubs, and Trees

Below we have provided the difference between herbs, shrubs, and trees:

Herbs	Shrubs	Trees
Herbs are short.	Shrubs are taller than herbs.	Trees are the tallest among all the plants.
The stems of herbs do not have branches.	Shrubs have branches at their bases.	Trees have branches in a single stem but not near the ground or base.
Herbs have non-woody, soft stems.	Shrubs have woody stems. These stems are thick but not hard.	Trees have woody stems. These stems are hard, thick, and brown in colour.
Herbs can be annual, biennial, or perennials.	Shrubs are mainly perennials.	Trees are perennials.
Herbs add flavour to food and provide medicines.	Shrubs have a medicinal value and can be used in gardening.	Trees prevent the eroding of topsoil, decrease the carbon dioxide content in the air, and provide wood for using household products.

Difference Between Climbers and Creepers

There are various differences between Climbers and Creepers. Below we have listed a few differences between Climbers and Creepers:

Climbers	Creepers
The stem is strong compared to creepers. It takes support and stands erect depending upon any external objects.	The stem is weak and spreads on the ground horizontally.
Highly coiled tendrils give extra support to grow straight.	Fibrous roots are developed at every nodal point to give support along with the soil.
Example: Money plant, beans, etc.	Example: Pumpkin, watermelon, etc

Summary

We see many plants in our garden and many trees in our surroundings. A sandal tree, Bougainvillea and grass, all are different types of plants. There are numerous varieties of plants that are short, and a few are tall and woody. We can grow a few herbs like paddy, wheat, tomato, radish, etc., in croplands. The stems of the herbs are soft and delicate, but they are strong enough to stand erect on their own.

Few plants are bigger than herbs and shorter than trees, and they are called shrubs. They have their branches grown near the base of the soil. The stems of shrubs are hard but not very thick, for example- lemon, croton, Chameli, etc. Oak, Bargad, coconut, eucalyptus, etc., are examples of trees.

Trees are tall and big plants with hard and woody stems. Few plants live for a longer duration, and few plants are seasonal.

Study Everything About Stem Here

FAQs on Herbs, Shrubs, and Trees

Students usually have questions and doubts regarding herbs, trees, and shrubs. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions.

Q.1: State five examples of shrubs.
Ans: Tulsi, rose, lemon, jasmine, henna, etc., are a few examples of shrubs.

Q.2: What are herbs and shrubs?
Ans: Herbs are non-woody plants and do not contain any stems, whereas shrubs are small to medium-sized plants which are woody. Shrubs are taller than herbs.

Q.3: Is Tulsi a herb, shrub, or tree?
Ans: Tulsi is a shrub.

Q.4: Which plant is an example of a herb?
Ans: Paddy, cabbage, tomato, wheat, etc., are examples of herbs.

Q.5: What are creepers? Give five examples.
Ans: Creepers are plants with weak stems and can not stand erect on their own; hence, they crawl on the ground. Passionflower, watermelon, strawberry, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, etc., are examples of creepers.

We hope this article on Herbs, Shrubs, and Trees helps you in your preparation.

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