Kidostelean

Kidostelean is a term used in botany to describe a specific type of stele, which is the central vascular cylinder of a plant stem or root. In a kidostele, the vascular tissues, xylem and phloem, are arranged in distinct strands. These strands are separated from each other by parenchymal tissue, which is a type of ground tissue. This arrangement is in contrast to other types of steles, such as a siphonostele where the vascular cylinder is a hollow tube, or a protostele where the vascular tissues are solid and undifferentiated. The term kidostele is often associated with the vascular anatomy found in certain groups of plants, particularly ferns and some gymnosperms. The development and arrangement of these vascular strands are important characteristics used in plant taxonomy and for understanding evolutionary relationships among different plant groups. The presence of interfascicular regions, the areas of parenchyma between the vascular bundles, is a key feature of the kidostele. This anatomical structure allows for flexibility and growth in the stem.