Soft-stemmed
Describing plants or their parts that have flexible, non-woody stems, unlike the rigid, woody stems found in trees and shrubs. soft-stemmed plants are often herbaceous, meaning they die back to the ground each year. Their stems are typically green and easily bendable, containing high water content and lacking the lignin that provides structure to woody stems. This characteristic allows for efficient nutrient transport but makes them susceptible to bending, breaking, and needing support in certain environments.
Soft-stemmed meaning with examples
- The farmer cultivated a field of soft-stemmed corn, relying on its rapid growth and edible kernels. Unlike the woody stems of the trees, the corn's stalk bent easily in the wind. Harvest time was determined when the delicate stems would reach their peak and kernels have matured. He knew that once the stems begin to dry, the kernels would be ready for the mill.
- The children were fascinated by the soft-stemmed sunflowers, gently twisting their heads towards the sun. The stems of the sunflowers had a delicate nature and the children needed to learn how to nurture them. Despite their delicate stems, sunflowers reach for the sun in a way that shows a strength found within soft things. They were able to feel the stems bend and watch them sway without snapping.
- In the lush meadow, a variety of soft-stemmed wildflowers flourished. Their colorful petals were supported by supple stems, offering the pollinators a visual display. As the wind blew through, it was able to move these beautiful flowers, as the stems were able to bend and flow in the wind. Their stems, a testament to the gentle beauty of nature, gently moved.
- The botanist meticulously examined a collection of soft-stemmed herbs. The stems provided the evidence needed to examine the plant's morphology. With her magnifying glass, she observed the plant’s vascular system, noting how the soft stems facilitated nutrient transport throughout the plant. The stem was not sturdy, but had an abundance of purpose.
