growth forms

Growth forms refer to the way plants develop and organize their stems, roots, and leaves. They describe the overall shape and structure a plant takes, such as trees with single main trunks (arboreal), shrubs with multiple branches (shrubs), or ground-hugging plants (ground covers). These patterns help plants adapt to their environment, whether by reaching for sunlight, conserving water, or surviving strong winds. Understanding growth forms aids in identifying plants and predicting how they grow and respond to their surroundings.