Plant stem

A stem is the above ground axis of a vascular plant. The young stem develops in the germinating seedling from embryonic tissue known as the hypocotyl. Lengthening of the hypocotyl lifts the cotyledon(s), plumule (leaf precursor tissues), and terminal or apical meristem above the ground. The surface cells differentiate and mature into a protective epidermal layer. A few cells interior differentiate as chollenchyma, providing support to the young stem. Clusters of elongated cells appear — these are the provascular strands. The remainder of the stem consists of parenchyma cells: those lying between the epidermis and the provascular strands forming a cortex and those interior to the provascular strands forming a pith. Parenchyma radiating from the pith between the precursors of the vascular bundles are called pith rays.

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These tissues are the early precursors of the mature stem tissues, and define the basic functions of the stem:

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• Structural support;
• Growth through increase in diameter (girth) and elongation;
• Transport of fluids between the roots and the leaves.

Modified stems for other functions include:

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• Tubers
• Stolons
• Bulbs
• Corms
Plant stem: Monocot stems ►



 

Vascular plant: Non-seed-bearing plantsEquisetophytaLycopodiophytaPsilotophytaPteridophytaSuperdivision SpermatophytaPinophytaCycadophytaGinkgophytaGnetophytaMagnoliophytaThe vascular plants are a plant group including the ferns, clubmosses, horsetails, flowering plants, conifers and other gymnosperms. Scientific n...

Germinating: Redirect Germination...

Hypocotyl: Hypocotyl is a botanical term for a part of a germinating seedling of a seed plant. As the plant embryo grows at germination, it sends out a shoot called a radicle that becomes the primary root and penetrates down into the soil. After emergence of the radicle, the hypocotyl emerges and lifts the gro...




Plant stem related Images and Photos (experimental)

A Stem of a Qat Plant	Plant Outline I	Banana Plant	Aroid Plant IV
Shadow Stem	Silver Stem I	Silver Stem IV	Medicinal Plant IV
Silver Stem III	Jade Plant (Crassula Argentea) Crassulaceae.	Prehistoric Plant Collection Plant Cube	Halfdoom Plant II - Yosemite