Getting to Know Plants Chapter Notes | EVS Class 3: The World around us (Our Wondrous World) PDF Download

Introduction

The chapter "Getting to Know Plants" follows the journey of Gopu, Simmi, and Raj as they observe and discuss different types of plants while walking to school. They talk about the beauty and diversity of plants, describing their sizes, shapes, and other characteristics. The chapter explores various types of plants like trees, shrubs, herbs, climbers, and creepers, explaining their distinct features such as the structure of stems, leaves, and roots. It provides an engaging way to learn about nature’s variety and the parts of plants that make them unique.

Explanation

So Many Kinds of Plants

Gopu, Simmi and Raj see many different plants on their way to school. They talk about trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses, climbers, and creepers. Trees are big with trunks and branches. Shrubs are smaller with many stems. Herbs have soft stems, and grasses have thin, green stems. Climbers grow up other things, and creepers spread on the ground. They also learn about the parts of a plant, like roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds.

Trees

Trees are the largest plants and are characterized by their thick, woody trunks. They have a complex structure with many branches and leaves, and their roots extend deep into the soil to provide stability and absorb nutrients. Examples include the jamun tree, which has thick, shiny leaves and produces small, edible fruits that change color as they ripen. Trees provide shade, are home to many animals, and play a crucial role in the ecosystem by producing oxygen and reducing carbon dioxide.

Shrubs

Shrubs are medium-sized plants that are smaller than trees and have multiple woody stems growing close to the ground. Unlike trees, shrubs do not have a single main trunk.  They can be found in gardens and wild areas, often recognized by their bushy appearance. Examples of shrubs include the tulsi plant and various flowering plants with woody stems. Shrubs are important for landscaping and also serve as habitats for smaller wildlife.

Herbs and Grasses

Herbs are small plants with tender, green stems that do not become woody. HerbsThey are usually short-lived and can be found in gardens, kitchens, and the wild. Herbs are used for culinary, medicinal, and aromatic purposes. Examples of herbs include mint and tomato plants. They are known for their soft, flexible stems and are often used in cooking for their flavorful leaves.

Grasses are a type of herb with soft, green stems that are often hollow. They have long, thin, and flat leaves. Grasses are commonly found in meadows, lawns, and fields. Grasses They are important for preventing soil erosion and providing food for many animals. Examples of grasses include lawn grass and wild grasses seen in natural landscapes. The pulses we eat, such as toor, masoor, moong, and urad, come from the seeds of certain grasses. 

Climbers

Climbers are plants with thin, flexible stems that need support to grow upwards. They use other plants, structures, or supports to climb and reach sunlight. Examples include the money plant, which winds around supports like walls or trees. Climbers Climbers often have specialized structures like tendrils that help them attach to their support. Examples: Money plant, grapevines.

Creepers

Creepers

Leaves

Leaves of different plants come in various colors, shapes, and sizes. They also have different smells, as noticed by Raj. He mentions plants like tulsi, coriander, curry leaves, mint, and lemon grass, each having a distinct fragrance. 

Simmi shares that she loves the smell of mango leaves when rubbed. 

Raj adds that his brother, though unable to see, can easily identify the smell of nearby fruits like mango, pineapple, jackfruit, guava, and jamun due to their strong aroma.