Cambium

Cambium: what is it and how does it function in plants?

The cambium is a layer of meristematic cells located in the stem and root of many vascular plants. It plays an important role in the growth and development of plants, since secondary wood and secondary phloem are formed due to the division of cambium cells.

Reclaimed wood is the tissue produced within the trunk of a plant that provides its strength and rigidity. Secondary phloem, in turn, is a tissue that is responsible for the transport of nutrients and other substances necessary for the life of the plant.

The cambium is formed from primary meristematic cells that are found in the upper part of the stem and root. They begin to divide and differentiate the moment the plant reaches a certain size and can no longer grow by primary growth alone. As a result of the division of cambium cells, secondary tissues are formed that increase the diameter of the stem and root.

It is important to note that the cambium is part of the secondary growth of the plant that occurs after the primary growth. It plays an important role in the formation of the structure and shape of the plant, as well as in its adaptation to the environment.

There are two types of cambium: protocambium and annular cambium. The protocambium develops from the primary meristem and forms secondary phloem, and the annular cambium develops from the secondary meristem and forms secondary wood.

Cambium is an important element in the life cycle of plants, which ensures their growth and development. Without the cambium, plants could not reach such large sizes and would not be able to adapt to different environmental conditions. Therefore, the study of cambium is an important task for botanists and other scientists involved in plant biology.