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Herbs and Shrubs Differences in Biology Import Concepts Must to Know

Question. Difference between Herbs and Shrubs.

Answer:

Growth Habit:

  • In horticulture, the term growth habits refer to the plantีšs growth and its development or change in the plantีšs height, shape and the kind of growth it undergoes. There are genetic factors as well as environmental factors which play an important role in their growth habit.
  • For instance, interaction with various animals influences the way plants adapt to their environment. From an evolutionary perspective, growth habits have the function of ensuring the survival and adaptation of plants in various habitats, consequently increasing the chances of successfully passing on the genes to the next generation.

Classification Based on Growth Habits:

  • If we consider plants, based on their height, some are too short while some are too tall to climb. Besides the height, stem thickness, delicacy also varies.
  • For example โ€“ Short plants have greenish, soft, and tender stems, while big and tall plants or trees have a thick, strong and woody stem which are hard to break.

Based on the growth habit, plants are broadly categorized into three groups:

Herbs

  • The herb is a short-sized plant with soft, green, delicate stem without the woody tissues. They complete their life cycle within one or two seasons. Generally, they have few branches or are branchless.
  • These can be easily uprooted from the soil. Herbs contain enough nutritional benefits, including vitamins and minerals, to make it a part of a healthy balanced diet. Tomato, wheat, paddy, grass and bananas are a few examples of herbs.

Shrubs

  • Shrubs are medium-sized, woody plants taller than herbs and shorter than a tree. Their height usually ranges between to tall. Their features include bushy, hard, and woody stems with many branches.
  • Although stems are hard, they are flexible but not fragile. The life-span of these plants usually depends on the species. Rose, jasmine lemon, tulsi, and henna are some of the common shrubs around us.

Trees

  • Trees are big and tall plants. They have very thick, woody and hard stems called the trunk. This single main stem or the trunk gives rise to many branches that bear leaves, flowers and fruits.
  • Some trees are branchless like coconut tree; i.e.. , they have only one main stem which bears leaves, flowers, and fruits all by itself. The life-span of the trees are very large. i.e.. , for several years. Banyan, mango, neem, cashew, teak, oak are some examples of trees.
Table of Difference between Herbs and ShrubsTable of Difference between Herbs and Shrubs
Differentiating PropertyHerbsShrubs
DefinitionHerbs are defined as seed-producing, annual, non-woody plants. They are also known as rootstock.Shrubs are defined as woody plants that contain several main stems arising near the ground. They are also known as woody plants.
StemThey have non-woody, soft stems.They have thick but not so hard woody stems.
BranchingThe stems of herbs do not have branches.Shrubs have branches at their bases.
HeightHerbs are short in size.Shrubs are comparatively taller than herbs.
Life cycleThe life cycle of herbs can be annual, biennial, or perennials.The life cycle of shrubs is mainly perennials.
ImportanceHerbs are specially used to add flavour to food and provide medicines.Shrubs carry medicinal value and can be used in gardening.
TissuesHerbs have delicate and thin tissues.Shrubs have strong and woody tissues.
BranchesHerbs do not have any branches. It consists of a single stem.Shrubs have branches at their base. It consists of multiple branches.
UprootIt can be easily uprooted.It cannot be easily uprooted.
Growing SeasonIt has an annual, biennial, and perennial growing season.It has a perennial growing season.
ExamplesWheat, Rice, Onion, Grass.Rose, Orange, Peach, Lavender.