Stängels

Stängels is the plural form of the Swedish noun stängel, which refers to the stem or stalk of a plant. In botany, a stem is the main above‑ground axis that supports leaves, flowers, and fruits and connects roots with the aerial parts, enabling transport of water, minerals, and sugars through vascular tissue such as xylem and phloem.

Stems vary in size, shape, and internal organization. They can be herbaceous (non‑woody) or woody; many woody stems undergo secondary growth driven by a cambium, producing wood and bark. Common structural features include nodes, where leaves or buds attach, and internodes, the intervals between nodes. In dicot stems, vascular bundles typically form a ring, while monocot stems have scattered vascular bundles.

Stems can be classified by growth form and function. Herbaceous stems are flexible and short‑lived, whereas woody stems provide lasting support. Some stems are modified for storage or propagation, such as rhizomes (underground horizontal stems), stolons or runners (above‑ground horizontal stems), and tubers (swollen storage stems like potatoes).

Functions of Stängels include supporting the plant body, transporting water, minerals, and photosynthates between roots and shoots, and sometimes performing storage and photosynthesis themselves when green. They may also bear reproductive structures or develop defensive features such as thorns.

In agriculture and horticulture, stem health and structure influence vigor, yield, and management practices. Edible stems, such as celery, are consumed for their supportive tissues, while other plants are valued for their woody stems or specialized stem forms.