MERISTEMATIC TISSUE

Meristematic tissue in plants commonly called

meristem, is composed of immature cells, which
are in a state of cell division and are
continuously producing new cells.
 CHARACTERISTICS
• The cells of meristematic tissue are similar in structure & have thin
cellulose cell walls.
• The meristematic cells may be spherical,oval,polygonal or rectangular in
shape.
• The meristematic cells are compactly arranged & do not contain any
intercellular space between them.
• Each meristematic cell contains dense or abundant cytoplasm & a single
large nucleus.
• The meristematic cells contain few vacuoles or no vacuoles at all.
 CLASSIFICATION OF MERISTEMATIC
TISSUE
Meristem

Based on the Based on the

location origin

Apical Lateral Intercalary Pro- Primary Secondary

Meristem Meristem Meristem meristem Meristem Meristem

Protoderm Pro- Ground M.

cambium

Felogen Vasculary
cambium
 BASED ON THE LOCATION Based on the
location

• Apical meristem
Apical Lateral Intercalary
– The Meristem
meristem presentMeristem Meristem
at the growing tips of plant organs
like apices of stem and root.
• Intercalary meristem
– This meristem remains embedded within permanent tissue.
• Lateral meristem
– This meristem is present laterally in the axis parallel to the
root and stem
 BASED ON THE ORIGIN Based on the
origin

• Promeristem
Pro- Primary Secondary
– Promeristemmeristem
remains meristematic
Meristem from the embryonic
Meristem
stage and gives rise to Primary meristem. 
• Primary meristem
– This meristem is derived from promeristem and gives rise
to primary permanent tissue.
• Secondary meristem
– This meristem originates from living, permanent tissue.
The phellogen or cork cambium, interfascicular cambium
are examples of Secondary meristem