A stem is one of two main structural axes of a
vascular plant. The stem is normally divided into nodes and internodes, the nodes hold
buds which grow into one or more
leaves,
inflorescence (flowers),
cones or other stems etc. The internodes act as spaces that distance one node from another. The term
shoots is often confused with stems; shoots generally refer to new fresh plant growth and does include stems but also to other structures like leaves or flowers. The other main structural axis of plants is the
root. In most plants stems are located above the soil surface but some plants have
underground stems.
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