The stem may not always be typically like what they are expected to be.

They are modified to perform different functions like:

i) Food storage – Underground stems of potato, ginger, turmeric, zaminkand, Colocasia are modified to store food in them.

ii) Climbing – Stem tendrils which develop from axillary buds, are slender and spirally coiled and help plants to climb such as in gourds (cucumber, pumpkins, watermelon) and grapevines.

iii) Protection – Axillary buds of stems may also get modified into woody, straight and pointed thorns. Thorns are found in many plants such as Citrus, Bougainvillea. They protect plants from browsing animals.