Excretion in Plants

Excretion is the process by which living organisms remove toxic and waste products generated through metabolic activities. While animals have specialised systems for excretion, plants lack such systems. Instead, they use simpler mechanisms to eliminate their waste. Most of the waste substances of plants are stored in vacuoles of leaf cells and in flowers, fruits, and the bark of the stem. After some time, these parts fall off. Some other waste materials are stored in old and worn xylem in the form of resin and gum. Some waste materials are also given out through roots into the surrounding soil.

Leaf fall

Examples of Plant Waste:

• Oils: Found in orange, eucalyptus, and jasmine plants.
• Latex: From rubber and papaya trees.
• Gums: From acacia trees.

Gum and latex

1. Gaseous Wastes: Plants produce oxygen during photosynthesis and carbon dioxide during respiration. These gases are released through stomatal pores on leaves. Oxygen is used for respiration, while carbon dioxide is reused in photosynthesis.
2. Water: Excess water is released through transpiration, which occurs via stomata, lenticels, and surfaces of stems and fruits.
3. Organic By-Products: Plants also produce organic wastes such as gums, resins, oils, and latex during metabolic activities. These are stored in parts like bark, stems, and leaves. Over time, plants shed these parts, removing the stored waste.
4. Aquatic Plants: Aquatic plants excrete waste directly into the surrounding water through diffusion. Terrestrial plants can excrete some waste into the soil.