Part 3: Plant Classification

Characteristics of Forbs

Forbs are also known as herbaceous plants. Many are the showy plants sought by wildflower enthusiasts. Here are some distinguishing characteristics for forbs:

• The leaves are usually have netted veins as opposed to the parallel veins found in grasses, although there are some forbs having parallel veins including plants in the Lily and Iris families.
• Leaves are generally shorter and wider than grass leaves
• Root are usually composed of a single long tap root with smaller branching roots.
• Stems are solid
• Many provide nutritious and beneficial forage for grazing animals