Meristem: Plant tissue containing undifferentiated cells capable of cell division and growth.
Think of meristems as the “fountain of youth” for plants. They’re areas of active cell growth, constantly producing new cells that develop into different plant tissues like leaves, stems, roots, and flowers. These areas are crucial for a plant to grow taller, bushier, and produce new parts.
There are different types of meristems, each with a specific job. For example, the shoot apical meristem at the tip of a stem is responsible for upward growth, while root apical meristems help roots grow longer. Understanding meristems is essential for things like pruning. When you prune a plant, you often remove the apical meristem, which encourages growth from other meristems lower down, making the plant bushier.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as health, wellness or nutrition advice. Please see our full disclaimers here.
« Back to Glossary Index