Plant categories are broad groupings that organize the vast diversity of plants based on general characteristics like structure, growth habit, and ecological role. Serving as an upper-level system, they help differentiate major types such as trees, grasses, flowers, vines, shrubs, and aquatic plants. Each category reflects fundamental traits, such as whether a plant is woody or herbaceous, tall or ground-hugging, flowering or non-flowering. By using plant categories, gardeners, botanists, and ecologists can more easily understand, study, and design with plants. These groupings form the foundation for deeper classifications, making it simpler to navigate the complex world of plant life.