Various types of autonomic and paratonic movements occur in plants. These can be grouped under movements of locomotion and movements of curvature. In the former case, the plant or the plant structures move physically from one place to another. In the latter, the plant is fixed and the movement is in the form of slight bending or curvature of a portion of the plant.

The movements of locomotion are limited to some aquatic plants or structure. But, the movements of curvature are largely found among rooted, terrestrial plants.

The curvature movements are of two types – growth movements and variation movements. In growth movements, curvature is permanent since it is accompanied by the growth of the plant organ. In variation movements, the curvature is a temporary change in the position of plant organs.