Alright kiddo, have you ever seen a big, tall plant with long leaves and a thick stem? That stem is called the stipe! Think of it like the trunk of a tree, but for a plant in the water.
The stipe is found in certain kinds of seaweed and algae, and it helps hold the plant upright in the water. It's usually pretty tough and can take on different shapes depending on the type of plant it's a part of.
Sometimes, the stipe can have other parts attached to it, like leaves or even little air bladders. These help the plant float and stay buoyant in the water.
Overall, the stipe is an important part of underwater plants and helps them stay strong and healthy in their watery homes.