Stalks are the slender, supportive structures of plants that connect the roots to the leaves and flowers. They play a crucial role in transporting water, nutrients, and sugars throughout the plant. Stalks can vary in thickness and height, depending on the type of plant, and they often provide stability, allowing the plant to grow upright. In many plants, such as corn and celery, the stalks are edible and contribute to the plant's overall flavor and texture. Stalks can also be referred to as stems, and they may have different adaptations, such as being woody in trees or herbaceous in grasses.