The Vascular Cambium: Development and Structure

The increase in girth and diameter of woody dicotyledonous plants is due to secondary vascular tissues produced by the vascular cambium, a pervasive meristem that is present in almost every plant part that persists for more than one year. Consequently, knowledge of the structure and function of the vascula cambium is fundamental to understanding the growth and development of woody plants. The book begins with an historical account of events leading to present understanding of the cellular tissues comprising the vascular cambium. Subsequent chapters discuss specific characteristics of the cambium with special emphasis on modes of cell division and the products of these divisions. The vascular cambium consists of two cell types, fusiform and ray cell initials and these cells divide both anticlinally and periclinally. The manifold consequences of these two modes of cambial cell division are thoroughly explored and analyzed in this detailed and well illustrated text.