Alternative title: cambial zone

Cambium, plural Cambiums, orCambia, in plants, layer of actively dividing cells

between xylem (wood) and phloem (bast) tissues that is responsible for the secondary
growth of stems and roots (secondary growth occurs after the first season and results in
increase in thickness). Theoretically, the cambium is a single layer of cells,
called initial cells; practically, it is difficult to distinguish the initials from their stillundifferentiated daughter cells, and several cell layers are collectively called the
cambium, or cambial zone. Cambial cells divide to produce secondary xylem cells
toward the central axis of the stem and secondary phloem cells toward the outside. The
cambium originates from undifferentiated cells that have retained their embryonic
capacity for continued growth and differentiation. A cambium may also form within callus
tissuesmasses of cells that grow over the injured surface of a wound, leading to
healing.
.

Lateral meristems[edit]

Diagram of secondary growth in atree showing idealised vertical and horizontal sections. New wood is added in
each growth season by the lateral meristems, the cork cambium andvascular cambium.

In many vascular plants, secondary growth is the result of the activity of the two lateral meristems,
the cork cambium andvascular cambium. Arising from lateral meristems, secondary growth
increases the girth of the plant root or stem, rather than its length. As long as the lateral meristems
continue to produce new cells, the stem or root will continue to grow in diameter. Inwoody plants, this
process produces wood, and shapes the plant into a tree with a thickened trunk.
Because this growth usually ruptures the epidermis of the stem or roots, plants with secondary
growth usually also develop acork cambium. The cork cambium gives rise to thickened cork cells to
protect the surface of the plant and reduce water loss. If this is kept up over many years, this
process may produce a layer of cork. In the case of the cork oak it will yield harvestablecork.

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This article is about the type of plant growth. For secondary-growth forests,

see Secondary forest.

Secondary growth thickens the stem and roots, typically making them woody. Obstructions such as this metal
post and stubs of limbs can be engulfed.

In plant science, secondary growth refers to the growth that results from cell division in
the cambia or lateral meristems and that causes the stems and roots to thicken, while primary
growth is growth that occurs as a result of cell division at the
tips of stems and roots, causing them to elongate, and gives rise to primary tissue. Secondary
growth occurs in most seed plants, butmonocots usually lack secondary growth. If they do have
secondary growth, it differs from the typical pattern of other seed plants.