Anatomy Of Flowering Plants

Anatomically, a plant is made of different kinds of tissues. The plant tissues are broadly classified into meristematic (apical, lateral, and intercalary) and permanent (simple and complex). Assimilation of food and its storage, transportation of water, minerals, photosynthates, and mechanical support are the main functions of tissues. 

There are three types of tissue systems – epidermal, ground, and vascular. The epidermal tissue systems are made of epidermal cells, stomata, and epidermal appendages. 

The ground tissue system forms the main bulk of the plant. It is divided into three zones – cortex, pericycle, and pith. The vascular tissue system is formed by the xylem and phloem. On the basis of the presence of cambium, and the location of the xylem and phloem, the vascular bundles are of different types. 

The vascular bundles from the conducting tissue translocate water, minerals, and food material. Monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants show marked variation in their internal structures. They differ in the type, number, and location of vascular bundles. 

The secondary growth occurs in most of the dicotyledonous roots and stems and it increases the girth (diameter) of the organs by the activity of the vascular cambium and the cork cambium. The wood is actually secondary xylem. There are different types of wood on the basis of their composition and time of production.