Stem vs Trunk
Stem and Trunk are two botanical names used sometimes in the similar sense. Strictly speaking there is some difference between stem and trunk. One of the main differences between stem and trunk is that trunk, otherwise called as bole of the tree refers to the main structural member of a tree. It actually supports the branches of the tree and is in turn supported by the roots.
It is interesting to note that the trunk of a tree is directly attached to the roots of the tree. A stem on the other hand is one of the two main structural axes of a vascular plant. Hence it can be safely said that the word ‘trunk’ is used while referring to a tree whereas the word ‘stem’ is used while referring to a plant.
The experts in botany or plant biology and plant biotechnology say that a trunk is not only a stem but it is the main stem of a tree. For this explanation we understand that what is stem to a plant is the trunk to a tree.
Another important difference between stem and trunk is that the stem is only on the flowers of the plant and it does not form part of the bark. On the other hand the trunk is actually on a tree and is necessarily covered in the bark. In other words it can be said that the trunk forms part of the bark.
The stem of a plant is the green straw-like structure present under the actual flower of the plant. It is important to know that leaves may stick out of the stem. The trunk of a tree on the other hand may not have the leaves sticking out of it. This is a morphological difference between stem and trunk.
Leave a Reply