grundmeristem

Ground meristem, or grundmeristem, is one of the three primary meristems formed during early plant development. It develops from the apical meristem and lies between the outer protoderm, which becomes the epidermis, and the inner procambium, which forms the vascular tissues. The ground meristem is responsible for producing the ground tissue system of the plant.

Tissues derived from the ground meristem include parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma. These tissues form the bulk of the plant body outside the epidermis and vascular system. In stems and roots, ground tissue comprises the cortex and pith, while in leaves it contributes to the mesophyll, supporting photosynthesis and storage functions. Parenchyma cells are the most common differentiated cell type and are involved in photosynthesis, storage, and wound repair; sclerenchyma and, to a lesser extent, collenchyma provide mechanical support.

Function and significance: the ground meristem establishes the fundamental tissue framework of the plant, enabling growth in girth and volume, storage of nutrients, and, in leaves, photosynthetic capacity. Its development is coordinated with the protoderm and procambium to form a functioning primary plant body.

Terminology: grundmeristem is the German term commonly used in botanical literature; in English, it is referred to as ground meristem or fundamental meristem. The concept is central to understanding primary plant growth and the organization of the plant’s internal tissues.