Apical meristem

Apical meristem [ Botany ]
Synonym: Growing point, Growing tip

Dictionary of botanic terminology
index of names


	Apical meristem is an undifferentiated tissue at the tip (apex) of shoots and roots formed of meristematic cells, that by division produces the precursors of all the other differentiated tissues, including vegetative, and reproductive organs;

Apical meristem is typically a small single point like area at the tip of a shoot that supply cells for the plant to increase in length (grow up for shoots and down for roots).
Growth in this direction is known as primary growth and is found in herbaceous and woody plants and in monocots and dicots.

A particular growth abnormality in which a single apical meristem has become unusually broadened and flattened , suggesting many stems have fused together is called fasciation , this establish the following unlimited growth, As a result the shoots have axial symmetry instead of central symmetry.

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Holdfast roots [ Botany ]
Dictionary of botanic terminology - index of names

Some species of climbing plants develop holdfast roots which help to support the vines on trees, walls, and rocks. By forcing their way into minute pores and crevices, they hold the plant firmly in place.

Climbing plants, like the poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata), and trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans), develop holdfast roots which help to support the vines on trees, walls, and rocks. By forcing their way into minute pores and crevices, they hold the plant firmly in place. Usually the Holdfast roots die at the end of the first season, but in some species they are perennial. In the tropics some of the large climbing plants have hold-fast roots by which they attach themselves, and long, cord-like roots that extend downward through the air and may lengthen and branch for several years until they strike the soil and become absorbent roots.

Major references and further lectures:
1) E. N. Transeau “General Botany” Discovery Publishing House, 1994