growthform

Growth form is a term used in biology, especially botany, to describe the general external morphology and architectural organization of an organism as it grows. In plants, growth form refers to the observed habit or structure of the plant, including its size, shape, and branching pattern, and is often reported as trees, shrubs, herbs, vines, or epiphytes. Other common plant growth forms include rosettes, bulbs, cushions, and succulents, or juvenile versus mature forms. The term is closely related to, and sometimes used interchangeably with, habit or life form, though growth form emphasizes architecture rather than life cycle alone.

In ecology and vegetation science, growth form is a useful criterion for classification and biogeography, helping group species into functional types for ecological studies and carbon budgeting. It reflects evolutionary strategy and environmental adaptation, and may vary with climate, soil, disturbance, and resource availability. Many species exhibit plasticity in growth form across life stages or environments, enabling adjustments to light, water, or nutrient conditions.

Beyond plants, the concept also appears in lichens and fungi. In these groups, growth form describes thallus or fruiting body morphology, such as crustose, foliose, or fruticose lichens, or various mushroom-like forms in fungi. Across kingdoms, growth form provides a concise description of the visible architecture that underpins identification, ecology, and functional analyses.