groeipunten

Groeipunten are the regions in plants where new growth is produced, through meristematic tissue that generates new cells. They enable elongation, organ formation and the initiation of new shoots, leaves, or flowers. The concept covers both the tips of shoots and roots and certain buds that can develop into branches or inflorescences.

The most important growth points are the apical meristems located at the tips of shoots and roots. These apical meristems drive primary growth, increasing the length of stems and roots. In addition, axillary buds, found in the angle between a leaf and the stem, can act as growth points that develop into side shoots or flowers if conditions allow. In roots, the root tip contains the root apical meristem, protected by the root cap, which coordinates elongation and directional growth.

Growth points can be classified by growth type. Primary growth arises from apical meristems and is responsible for lengthening. Secondary growth, which occurs in many woody plants, results from lateral meristems such as cambium and increases girth. Growth points may enter dormancy under unfavorable conditions and become active again when circumstances improve. Hormonal signals, including auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins, interact with environmental cues such as light, temperature, and nutrient availability to regulate the activity of growth points.

In horticulture and agriculture, growth points are relevant for practices such as pruning, which removes or trims buds to shape plants, and grafting, which places growth points from one plant onto another to propagate desired traits.