Secondary thickening is a process in plants where stems and roots increase in girth due to the activity of the vascular cambium and cork cambium. This growth occurs primarily in dicots and gymnosperms, allowing them to support larger structures and better withstand environmental pressures.

Secondary Thickening

Process in plants

Stems and roots

Increase in girth

Activity of the vascular cambium

Cork cambium, also known as phellogen, is a type of lateral meristem responsible for the production of cork cells, contributing to the protective outer layer of stems and roots in woody plants. This growth process plays a crucial role in secondary thickening and the formation of the periderm, providing both protection and support to the plant.

Cork Cambium

Dicots

Gymnosperms are a group of seed-producing plants that include conifers, cycads, Ginkgo, and gnetophytes, characterized by seeds that are not enclosed in an ovary. They are predominantly woody plants and are crucial for understanding plant evolution, as they represent an ancient lineage that predates flowering plants.

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