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2 - Stem

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 November 2020

Paula J. Rudall
Affiliation:
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
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Summary

Stems are axes that are typically cylindrical, elongated and branching, though many modifications can occur in different species. Shoot apical meristems are present at the tips of all the stem branches; lateral branches are initiated from buds that are borne in the axils of leaves. Stems are most commonly aerial, though some stems occur below ground. Aerial stems are often green and photosynthetic during early growth but subsequently turn brown following radial stem thickening. Some underground stems are modified into storage organs such as corms or rhizomes that allow them to survive a harsh winter or dry season below ground.

Type
Chapter
Information
Anatomy of Flowering Plants
An Introduction to Plant Structure and Development
, pp. 24 - 40
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

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  • Stem
  • Paula J. Rudall, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
  • Book: Anatomy of Flowering Plants
  • Online publication: 02 November 2020
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108782104.003
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  • Stem
  • Paula J. Rudall, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
  • Book: Anatomy of Flowering Plants
  • Online publication: 02 November 2020
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108782104.003
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Stem
  • Paula J. Rudall, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
  • Book: Anatomy of Flowering Plants
  • Online publication: 02 November 2020
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108782104.003
Available formats
×