THE SEED PLANT BODY 3 



and, consequently, are more soft and tender. The tree has 

 a main trunk giving off branches at varying distances from 

 the ground. The shrub may have a small main stem, but 

 the shoots that arise at its base are equal to it in size. We 

 note differences in the shapes of plants. Contrast the apple 

 tree with its oval shape with the cone shape of the pine or 

 spruce. Observe the general columnar form of the corn 

 plant, and note how different it is from the broadly oval form 

 of a vigorous alfalfa clump. Again, we see that while most 

 plants are erect, a number, like the strawberry and melons, 

 are prostrate on the ground. Others, like the grape, are 

 climbing, and gain mechanical support from other objects. 



