Herbs vs Shrubs: Main Differences in Biology

You may have seen different types of plants around you. Some of them are tall and some of them are small. Here, we are going to talk about different types of plants.

Herbs are generally small plants with green and tender stems in them.These are a number of leafy green or flowering parts of a plant (either fresh or dried), while spices are usually dried and produced from other parts of the plants, namely seeds, bark, roots and fruits. These plants are weak and have very less strength in their stem and can be easily uprooted from the soil. They have an adequate amount of nutritional advantage that includes vitamins and minerals. 

Shrubs are small to medium sized plants which are woody. Shrubs are also known as bushes. They can be easily differentiated from the trees because of their short height that is less than 6m to 10m. These plants have strong powerful rootage along with being tough, flexible too irrespective of their short height. 

How to Differentiate Herbs with Shrubs?

The plants which can be differentiated on the basis of their size and branching patterns are defined as herbs and shrubs respectively. Herbs consist of soft and unbranched stems, whereas shrubs have woody, branched and multi stems. Shrubs are often confused with herbs because of their similar characteristics, but we should know that shrubs are taller than herbs. 

Some Important Differences between Herbs and Shrubs are - 

What are the Different Types of Herbs ?

There are different types of herbs, to name a few are - 

1. Mint 

2. Rosemary 

3. Thyme 

4. Coriander 

5. Basil 

What are the Different Types of Shrubs?

There are different types of Shrubs - 

1. Croton 

2. Lemon 

3. Tulsi 

4. Heena 

5. China Rose 

Some Other Types of Herbs and Their Uses

1. Cilantro - The alternate name for Cilantro is Coriander leaves which we use in our day to day lives. This herb is generally used in the cuisines of India, Mexico and Vietnam. 

2. Mint - This herb is used in our kitchens almost every day. The two most widely available varieties of mint are peppermint and spearmint. Peppermint has a strong, cooling aftertaste and on the other hand spearmint is lighter and sweeter to the palate. Ginger, apple, curly mint, etc are the lesser known mint which, when used in large quantities, impart the flavor that is connected to its name. Mint may be a common ingredient in Thai food like rolls, also as in Middle Eastern dishes like the tabbouleh, and in traditional mint tea from North Africa. 

3. Parsley - The alternate name for Parsley is Curly parsley or flat-leaved Italian parsley. It is generally used in stock, stew and soup as a part of Italian cuisine. Pastas and egg recipes often benefit from a sprinkling of chopped parsley as the herb's clean, light flavor cuts down the heavy creaminess and also acts as a palate-cleanser.

4. Dill - Also known as Dill weed and Dill leaf. Dill helps to eradicate strong reactions. Some describe Dill’s flavor as clean and grassy, while others dislike it for being tangy and earthy. The herb Dill is often associated with Scandinavian cuisine. 

5. Basil - Also known as Sweet Basil. Basil is the most ordinarily used herb in the US. Italian basil is relatively sweeter than its purple counterpart and also Peppery with a mild anise flavor, Sweet green basil is largely used in the  dishes from Italy widely known as Basil pesto and Southeast Asia (green chicken curry), proving its versatility. The dark purple color of the basil makes it a wonderful garnishing agent adding a wonderful flavor to the food being served. 

Herbs

Herbs are plants with delicate, green, and perishable stems. Herbs are non-woody, seed-bearing plants and their leaves and roots are often used for therapeutic purposes. However, these plants usually perish after their growing season.

Herbs have unbranched stems. They are classified further as biennials, perennials, and annual herbs. Biennial herbs require two years to finish their life cycle, whereas perennial herbs require more than two years. Annual herbs have a one-year lifespan.

Herbs include, among other things, basil, lavender, culinary, and parsley as these botanicals have therapeutic and fragrant properties.

Herb Characteristics

Herbs are fragile plants with little leaves and stalks. The color of their stem is green and delicate, and fragile. They are little in stature. Herbs have a relatively limited lifetime. They can only last one or two seasons. 

Shrubs

Shrubs are plants with solid stems and branches of almost similar size that emerge from the stem just above the soil. Shrubs are wooden plants with several stems that grow from the ground. They have a stem diameter of around 3 inches and a height of fewer than 13 feet. Witch hazel, roses, forsythia, lilacs, holly, and rose of Sharon are examples of shrubs, as are Fothergilla, Stewartstonian azalea, oakleaf hydrangea, red twig dogwood, King's Gold, and Gold Mops. 

Shrub Characteristics

Shrubs are larger than herbs but smaller than trees. These are typically 3 meters tall. Shrubs get bushy as the arms grow close to the earth. They may grow in any sort of soil. Shrubs are seasonal plants that thrive in bright sunlight. 

Key Differences between Herbs, Shrubs And Trees

Herbs are shorter than bushes, but trees are taller than all of them. Herbs have a single stem, shrubs have several stems, and trees have a single trunk stem. Herbs have weak tissues, shrubs possess strong and soft tissues, while trees have thick, hard, and powerful tissues. Herbs don't have branches, shrubs have branches that grow from the base, and trees have branches that grow above ground. Herbs are used for flavoring food and medical uses, while shrubs are used for gardening and trees for wood production. Trees and shrubs are perennials, while herbs can be annuals, perennials, and biennials.