The majority of angiosperm possess upright, vertically growing erect stem.
They are
(i) Excurrent, (ii) Decurrent, (iii) Caudex, (iv) Culm
- Excurrent: The main axis shows continuous growth and the lateral branches gradually becoming shorter towards the apex which gives a conical appearance to the trees, eg. Polyalthia longifolia, Casuarina.
- Decurrent: The growth of the lateral branch is more vigorous than that of the main axis. The tree has a rounded or spreading appearance, eg. Mangifera indica, Azadirachta indica, Tamarindus indicus, Aegle marmelos.
- Caudex: It’s an unbranched, stout, cylindrical stem, marked with scars of fallen leaves, eg. Cocus Nucifera, Borassusflabellifermis, Areca catechu.
- Culm: Erect stems with distinct nodes and usually hollow internodes clasped by leaf sheaths.
eg. Majority of grasses including Bamboo.
