Learn about this topic in these articles:role in angiospermsVery different plant forms result from simply changing the lengths of the internodes. Extreme shortening of the internodes results in rosette plants, such as lettuce, Lactuca sativa (Asteraceae), in which the leaves develop but the internodes between them do not elongate. Extreme lengthening of the internodes often results in twining vines, as in the yam, Dioscorea esculenta... The stem has growth periods similar to those of the root, but longitudinal regions are not as obvious as in the root until the nodes become differentiated and internode lengths increase. Elongation of internodes involves many cell divisions and is followed by cell elongation. At this point, growth in thickness involves some radial cell division and cell enlargement. structure in plants...of this bud and its adjacent tissues, the stem increases in height. Lateral buds and leaves grow out of the stem at intervals called nodes; the intervals on the stem between the nodes are called internodes. The number of leaves that appear at a node depends on the species of plant; one leaf per node is common, but two or or more leaves may grow at the nodes of some species. When a leaf drops... The stem is divided into nodes (points where leaves are or were attached) and internodes (the length of the stem between nodes). The leaves and stem together are called the shoot. Shoots can be separated into long shoots and short shoots on the basis of the distance between buds ( internode length). The stem provides support, water and food conduction, and storage.