Shrubs: Types, Characteristics, Functions and Uses

Shrubs are any woody, perennial, dense plants with a few branches or trunks at the base smaller than trees. They are simple to recognise because they are usually short and bushy, with just a small portion of the stem visible. Bushes are another name for shrubs which are commonly used to decorate.

They are left to become untended in the typical style of scene cultivation or arranging. However, in many patio nurseries, they are trimmed or succumb to more conspicuous formation and to encourage more decreased development in the spring. Most bushes grow at a faster pace.  

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What are Shrubs?

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Plants with bushy and hard stems lying above the ground are called shrubs. Rose, lemon, and tulsi are some of the examples of shrubs. The distinguishing feature of shrubs are their short height, appearance, and presence of multiple stems. They are also called bushes. The trimming of bushes must be done on a regular basis to maintain a certain form or fit in.

• Three types of shrubs are found in nature namely-decidous, broadleaf evergreen, and needled evergreen shrubs.
• The arrangement of shrubs or bushes in a garden is called shruberry. 
• Most of the shrubs are utilized for decoration purposes. 
• The maximum height of 3 metres are observed in shrubs.

Examples of Shrubs

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Types of shrubs

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Australian fuchsia, red climbing rose, bush rose, sunrose, camellia, azalea, white and purple butterfly bush, barberry, rockrose, and other plants may be found in abundance. Shrubs are divided into three types based on their leaf, colour, and season. 

• Broadleaf Evergreen Shrubs
• Decidous Shrubs
• Needled Evergreen Shrubs

1. Broadleaf Evergreen Shrubs

The type of bushes whose leaves remain green throughout the year are called broad-leaf evergreen shrubs. The color of leaves in broad leaf evergreen shrubs does not depend on the season of their planting. The examples of such type of shrubs are rhododendrons, myrtles, gardenia, etc. 

2. Decidous Shrubs

The leaves of decidous shrubs are often shed during winter seasons. Their leaves are bright coloured usually seen in autumn season. The colour of foliage changes with time and seasons. During spring seasons, the leaves of decidous shrubs regrow and the cycle is repeated again. The common examples of decidous shrubs are hydrangia, liliac, etc.

3. Needled Evergreen Shrubs

The leaves of such shrubs are needle shapes. Thus, they are called needled evergreen shrubs. The leaves of needled evergreen shrubs can be either broad or narrow, but the ends are always tapered. Mugo pine, and juniper are the common examples of needled evergreen shrubs.

The video below explains this:

Shrubs Detailed Video Explanation:

Check Important Notes for Biofortification

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Characteristics of Shrubs

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Shrubs have many unique characteristics, and some of the more notable are included here: 

1. Lack of a Prominent Trunk- The presence of multiple stems in place of trunk is one of the peculiar chracteristics of shrubs. They are modest in stature, and because they lie close to the ground, the majority of their branches or stems originates directly from the base.
2. Hardy Plants- As most shrubs can thrive in a variety of soil conditions, whether fertile or not, they are referred to as hardy plants. Shrubs thrive in sunny environments, as opposed to drought-stricken areas. This is mainly due to the fact that they are typically seasonal. Rhododendrons, myrtles, camellia, boxwood, holly, mountain laurel, gardenia, juniper, mugo pine, yew, and other plants are common examples of shrubs
3. Broad Leaves.- The presence of broad leaves is also a unique characteristics of shrubs. Thus, the most common type of shrubs present in the natural landscape are broad leaves evergreen shrubs. 

Apart from these major characteristics mentioned above, shrubs also have some other characteristics which are as follows:

• Shrubs are smaller than plants, growing to a maximum height of three metres, making them far smaller than trees.
• They also lack a single trunk capable of supporting the strain and weight exerted by the different branches and stems.
• Shrubs are sometimes known as wide-leaved plants because they have broad leaves.

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Functions of Shrubs

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Some of the major roles of shrubs in natural vegetation are listed below: 

• They are utilised to enhance the beauty of the environment around us.
• They may be planted in garden beds, cultivated in gardens, or used to enhance backdrops.
• Shrubs also aid in environmental conservation by minimising soil erosion and water waste, as well as helping to restore the planet's green cover.
• Shrubs provide a significant amount of fuelwood.
• They offer habitat for the ecosystem's smallest creatures.
• Shrub parts can be utilised for a variety of things, including collecting fruits, employing leaves, and using roots or tuber roots for other things.

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Uses of Shrubs

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Following are some of the important uses of shrubs: 

• Shrubs are commonly utilised in landscaping. They contribute to gardening, backdrop screens, fences, and hedges, among other things, and are frequently a type of permanent planting.
• Shrubs provide a lot of aesthetic value. They are available in a wide range of sizes, constructions, and colours. The fragrance is also enhanced by flowering shrubs. They are evergreen, maintain a lovely appearance, and keep both noise and dust at bay.
• Rhododendron, for example, has abundant foliage even throughout the winter months. Certain deciduous shrubs, on the other hand, have many branching branches with fruits or flowers on them. Lilac, barberry, cotoneaster, forsythia, and other plants are common examples.
• Certain shrubs have the ability to thrive in cold, icy regions or on slightly barren terrain. They give sanctuary for animals or create opportunity for flourishing natural life in situations like these. When their branches or stems get dry, they can also be used as a source of fuel. They also assist in the development of local structures amid tough climatic circumstances. Shrubs aid in conservation by limiting soil erosion, which is especially important in rainy places.
• In any way, shrubs are lovely in the winter because some have green foliage (such as evergreen arborvitae and rhododendron), while many deciduous bushes have nourishing stem and branch frames or vividly coloured or shaded fruits. Lilac, forsythia, azalea, flowering shadbush, Cotoneaster, and barberry are some of the most commonly used shrubs.
• Trees occasionally grow in a bone-dry, cold climate, and shrubs often provide considerable sustenance for natural life and animals, as well as wood for neighbourhood construction and fuel. Such a diverse range of shrubs is evergreen. Under unfavourable natural conditions, tree species may turn into shrubs, and the refinement in the centre of trees and bushes becomes one of them, rather than a set of botanical attributes.

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Things to Remember

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• Shrubs are any woody, perennial, dense plants with a few branches or trunks at the base that are smaller than trees
• Australian fuchsia, red climbing rose, bush rose, sunrose, camellia, azalea, white and purple butterfly bush, barberry, rockrose are few examples of shrubs.
• Lack of a Prominent Trunk, Smaller than trees, Hardy Plants
• Shrubs are utilised for beautifying our environment as well as conserve and create a biodiversity for small animals.
• Majorly used in Landscaping.

Read Also: Polyembryony and its occurrence in gymnosperms