meristemin
Meristem is a plant tissue composed of undifferentiated cells that retain the capacity to divide and differentiate into various specialized tissues. Meristematic activity drives plant growth by producing new organs and tissues, enabling plants to grow in length and girth. Meristems are classified by location and developmental role: apical meristems occur at the tips of shoots and roots and drive primary growth; lateral meristems, including the vascular cambium and cork cambium, enable secondary growth and thickening; and intercalary meristems are found in some monocots at leaf bases, contributing to leaf elongation.
A typical apical meristem contains stem cells, or initials, that divide to produce progeny cells. As these
In vascular plants, meristems underpin both above-ground and underground development and are central to growth, regeneration,
Overall, meristems represent the plant’s active growth tissue, enabling continuous development throughout the life cycle.