Getting to Know Plants Class 6 Notes explains how plants are grouped, the functions of roots, stems and leaves, leaf venation, flowers and the basic relationship between plant structure and function. For broader revision, use our Class 6 notes and NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science.
Important 2026–27 update: “Getting to Know Plants” was Chapter 7 in the earlier NCERT Class 6 Science book. In the current NCERT Curiosity textbook, closely related ideas appear in Chapter 2: Diversity in the Living World, including grouping plants by stem features, observing leaves and flowers, and relating root type to leaf venation. These notes therefore remain useful for students searching the earlier chapter while also connecting the concepts to the current syllabus.
Quick answer: Plants can be grouped using features such as height, stem type, branching pattern, leaves, roots and flowers. Herbs usually have soft green stems, shrubs have woody stems with branches near the base, and trees have a hard main stem with branches higher up.
| Plant feature | What to observe | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Stem | Soft/hard, thin/thick, upright/weak | Mint, rose, mango |
| Leaf venation | Reticulate or parallel veins | Hibiscus, grass |
| Roots | Taproot or fibrous root system | Mustard, wheat |
| Growth habit | Herb, shrub, tree, climber or creeper | Tomato, bougainvillea, neem, pea, pumpkin |
Watch: Diversity in the Living World – Class 6 Science
This current Class 6 Science video explains the wider “Diversity in the Living World” chapter that now includes plant grouping and related concepts. It plays inside this page so students can use the notes and video together.
Getting to Know Plants Class 6: Plant Parts, Roots, Leaves and Flowers
Topics in the earlier NCERT “Getting to Know Plants” chapter
| 7.1 | Herbs, Shrubs and Trees |
| 7.2 | Stem |
| 7.3 | Leaf |
| 7.4 | Root |
| 7.5 | Flower |
Plants are living things that grow on land or in water. From snowy mountain slopes to dry, hot deserts, plants can survive almost anywhere on Earth.
Plants can be divided into two groups :
(i). Flowering Plants
Ex : sunflowers, orchids
(ii). Non-flowering Plants
Ex : mosses and ferns
All plants make their own food, taking energy from sunlight. Unlike animals, plants cannot move from place to place, and most are rooted in the ground.
Ex : 7.1 – Herbs, shrubs and trees :
Herbs, shrubs and trees: Plants are usually grouped into herbs, shrubs and trees on the basis of their heights, stem and branches:
- Herbs: Plants with green and tender stems are called herbs. They are usually short and sometimes do not have branches.
- Shrubs: Some plants have branches arising from the base of the stem. The stem is hard but not very thick. They are called shrubs.
- Trees: Some plants are very tall and have hard and thick stems. They have branches arising from the upper part of the stem. They are called trees.
Creepers and climbers:
The stem of some plants are very thin and weak. They either lie on the ground or need support to stand up. They are called creepers and climbers respectively.
- Climbers have weak stems and grow upward by taking support from another object or plant. Some climbers, such as pea and grapevine, use tendrils; others climb in different ways. Examples include pea, grapevine, money plant and beans.
- Creepers, as the name suggests, are plants that creep on the ground. They have very fragile, long, thin stems that can neither stand erect nor support all its weight. Examples include watermelon, strawberry, pumpkin and sweet potatoes.
Ex : 7.2 – Stem :
- It bears leaves, buds, flowers, fruits, etc.
- The stem conducts water from the roots to the leaves and to the other parts and food from leaves to the roots and other parts of the plant.
- Some underground structures store food. A potato is a stem tuber and ginger is a rhizome (a modified stem). An onion is a bulb with a very short stem surrounded by fleshy modified leaves.
Ex : 7.3 – Leaf :
Leaf is the most important part of the plant. Most leaves of plants are green in colour. There are different shapes and sizes of leaves.
Different parts of a Leaf :
Leaf has different parts:
- Midrib: It is the thick vein in the middle of the leaf.
- Types of venation: Two types of venation are found:
- Reticulate: If the venation is in a net-like appearance on both sides of midrib, it is called reticulate. For example, peepal.
- Parallel: In the leaves of grasses, the veins and veinlets are parallel to one another. Such a venation is called parallel.
- Node: Places where leaves and branches are joined to stem are called nodes.
- Internodes: The part of the stem between two nodes is called internode.
Function of Leaves :
- Transpiration: The loss of water in the form of vapours from the stomata on leaves is called transpiration.
- Photosynthesis: A process by which green plants make their food from sunlight, carbon dioxide and water is called photosynthesis.
Ex : 7.4 – Root :
- Roots are mostly the underground part of the plant.
- They absorb water and minerals from the soil.
- They hold the soil firmly to keep the plant upright.
- Some roots store food and become plump.
There are two types of roots :
- Taproot: One main root grows downward with smaller side roots. Mustard and hibiscus are common examples.
- Fibrous roots: Many roots of similar thickness arise from the base of the stem. Wheat and grasses are common examples.
Useful pattern: Plants with reticulate leaf venation commonly have taproots, while plants with parallel venation commonly have fibrous roots. This root–venation relationship is also highlighted in the current NCERT Class 6 Science chapter on diversity.
Ex : 7.5 – Flower :
A flower is the part of a plant that is responsible for making new seeds. It is often made of petals and may have an attractive scent.
Reproduction in flowering plants:
Flowering plants make new seeds inside the flower using male and female parts. Some plants, such as holly trees, may have either male or female flowers. If a tree has male flowers it will never produce any berries : they are only produced on trees with female flowers.
Flowers, Fruits, and Seeds :
A flower is the reproductive organ of a plant. A seed is an enclosed dormant embryo of a plant. They are found in the fruits and when sown, gives rise to a new plant.
Conclusion :
- The parts that remain under the ground (roots) form the root system.
- The parts above the ground (stem, leaves, flowers, and fruits) form the shoot system.
- There are two main types of root systems: tap root system and fibrous root system.
- Roots may be modified for support, storage of food, propagation, etc.
- Stems may be modified for support, protection, photosynthesis, food storage, and reproduction.
- Leaves are green because they have a green pigment called chlorophyll. Green leaves manufacture their food with the help of carbon dioxide, water, and light.
- Flower is the reproductive organ of a plant. Flowers have petals, sepals, stamens, and carpel.
- The pollen grains need to be transferred to the stigma from the anther of the flower for pollination.
- The seed has an embryo, which develops into a new plant under suitable conditions.
CBSE Notes for Class 6 Science Free Download for All Chapters
Related Class 6 Science Resources
| Resource | Why it is useful |
|---|---|
| Class 6 Notes | Browse subject-wise Class 6 study notes. |
| NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science | Use chapter-wise solutions alongside these notes. |
| Getting to Know Plants – NCERT Solutions | Practice questions from the earlier NCERT Chapter 7. |
| Living Organisms and Their Surroundings | Continue with habitats and the living world. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How are plants classified in Class 6 Science?
Students can group plants using observable features such as plant height, the hardness and thickness of the stem, branching pattern, leaf venation, root type and the presence of flowers. Common growth groups include herbs, shrubs, trees, climbers and creepers.
What are the main parts of a flower?
The main flower parts are sepals, petals, stamens and the pistil or carpel. Stamens are the male reproductive parts, while the pistil contains the stigma, style and ovary.
What is the difference between taproots and fibrous roots?
A taproot system has one prominent main root with smaller branches, while a fibrous root system has many roots of similar thickness arising near the base of the stem.
Is “Getting to Know Plants” still Chapter 7 in the current NCERT Class 6 Science book?
No. “Getting to Know Plants” belongs to the earlier NCERT Class 6 Science book. In the current Curiosity textbook, related ideas such as grouping plants, observing stems and leaves, and relating roots to leaf venation appear in Chapter 2, “Diversity in the Living World”.
Use the labelled plant diagrams in this article while revising roots, stems, leaves and flowers; visual comparison helps students remember the differences between plant structures.
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