Plant tissues can be divided into three main types: meristematic tissues, simple tissues, and complex tissues. Meristematic tissues contain actively dividing cells and are found in areas of growth like apical and lateral meristems. Simple tissues consist of one cell type like parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma. Complex tissues are more specialized tissues like xylem, phloem, and periderm which are composed of multiple cell types organized into structures.

1. Plant Tissues: Overview Meristems, Simple Tissues, & Complex Tissues Many of the figures found in this presentation are from the internet site http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/images/130/ and a CD entitled “Plant Anatomy” by Richard Crang & Andrey Vassilyev published by McGraw Hill.

4. Shoot Apical Meristem

6. Lateral Meristems – secondary growth in woody plants Basswood – root in cross section Basswood – stem in cross section; 1, 2, 3 year old stems

7. Intercalary Meristems in Grasses http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/Biology/wildamerica/grasslands/graslandoutline.html

9. Parenchyma

10. Collenchyma

11. Sclerenchyma Right-hand illustration modified from: Weier, Stocking & Barbour, 1974, Botany: An Introduction to Plant Biology, 5th Ed. SCLERIDS FIBERS

12. Epidermis – stoma, trichomes, & root hairs http://www.ucd.ie/botany/Steer/hair/roothairs.html

14. Xylem

15. Phloem

16. Vascular Bundles with xylem & phloem Maize or Corn – vein in cross section Alfalfa – vein in cross section

17. Periderm – cork & parenchyma TWIG WITH LENTICELS