Republic of the Philippines

CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE

F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte – 4600,
Philippines

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Plant Stem

Introduction:

Stems are vital organ of plants that provide structural and functional support to plants in this
lesson we will have an overview of its general structure and major function.

Outcomes:
 Describe the functions of the stem.
 Identify the External Structure of Stems
 Contrast the structures of an herbaceous eudicot stem and a monocot stem
 Describe the various morphological characteristics of stems

Discussion:

The stem may come in various forms generally it provide structural support to various parts of
the plants located above the ground. Functionally stem serves as the pathway for water, minerals and
photosynthates. Stems may either be herbaceous or woody but most are circular in cross section.

Three Main Functions of Stems

1. Support leaves and reproductive structures

2. Provides internal transport
3. Produce new living tissues.

External Structure of Stems

 Bud – an undeveloped shoot that contains an embryonic meristem;

o Terminal Bud – a bud located at the tip of the stem.
o Axillary Bud – buds located on the side of the stem.
 Node – The area on a stem where one or more leaves is attached, this is a distinct
characteristic of stem compared to roots.
 Internode – The area on a stem between two successive nodes.
 Bud Scales – an outer layer that protects the bud
o Bud scale scars – formed when the bud scale falls off.
 Leaf Scar – structure formed on the stem after a leaf falls off.
o Bundle Scar – Formed within the leaf scar it used to be the vascular tissue that
extends from the stem out into the leaf.

Page 1 of 6
 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte – 4600,
Philippines

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Illustration 1

Stem Structure of Eudicots

 Cuticle – Waxy layer that covers the epidermis and prevents water loss.
 Epidermis – an outer covering and protection.
 Cortex – a complex tissue composed of parenchyma, collenchyma and sclerenchyma
cells. Its function includes photosynthesis, storage and support.
 Vascular Bundles (Vascular Tissues) – the bundles extend throughout the stem and
roots.
o Stele – the central cylinder of the stem which includes xylem, phloem and pith
(in most cases)
o Xylem – component of the vascular bundle that transports water and minerals.
 Tracheids - the basic cell in the xylem, lignified secondary walls and
occur in primary and secondary xylem it is spindle shaped, very
elongate, and have tapered ends. Tracheids have a dual function of
support and water conduction.
 Vessel Elements - vessel elements have perforated end walls, lignified
secondary walls and occur in primary and secondary xylem. Vessel
elements are more efficient at water conduction, as there is no barrier to
water movement from cell to cell vertically.

Page 2 of 6
 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte – 4600,
Philippines

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Illustration 2
o Phloem – component of the vascular bundle that transports dissolved
carbohydrates (sucrose)
o Fiber – Present in both xylem and phloem, it provides support and provide
strength to the phloem and xylem.
 Phloem fiber cap – a cluster of fibers which helps strengthen the stem.
o Vascular Cambium – a lateral meristem located between the xylem and phloem
that is responsible for secondary growth.
o Pith – a ground tissue composed of large, thin walled parenchyma cells that
function primarily for storage.
 Pith rays – the areas of parenchyma between the vascular bundles.

Illustration 3

Stem Structure of Monocots

 Similarly monocot stem have cuticle and epidermis

 Vascular tissues are not arranged in circle but are scattered throughout stem.
 Bundle Sheath - sclerenchyma cells that enclosed the vascular bundles.
 Monocots does not possess lateral meristems making it incapable of lateral growth.

Page 3 of 6
 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte – 4600,
Philippines

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Illustration 4

Stem Structure of Woody Plants

 A distinct characteristic of woody plants is the capacity to undergo secondary growth or

an increase in the girth of stem and roots. Secondary growth is brought by the vascular
cambium and cork cambium.
o Vascular Cambium – a lateral meristem that produces secondary xylem (wood)
and secondary phloem (inner bark).
o Cork Cambium – a lateral meristem that produces cork cells and cork
parenchyma; the cork cambium and the tissues (periderm or the outer bark) it
produces makes up the outer bark of a woody plant.

Illustration 5

Morphology of the Stem

 Phyllotaxis refers to the arrangement of leaves.

o Spiral (alternate) arrangement - If there is one leaf per node.
o Opposite arrangement - Two leaves per node. Opposite leaves can be all in the
same plane or each pair can rotate at 90◦.
o Whorled arrangement - If there are more than two leaves per node, and each
whorl can also rotate.

Page 4 of 6
 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte – 4600,
Philippines

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Illustration 6
Types of phyllotaxis (leaf arrangement): a spiral (alternate),
b and c opposite, d whorled.

Note: Each type of spiral phyllotaxis has its own angle of divergence. Multiple
types of spiral leaf arrangement mostly follow the Fibonacci sequence:

Illustration 7
Four first Fibonacci types of spiral phyllotaxis: 1/2 , 1/3 , 2/5 , and 3/8 .

This sequence of numbers made with simple rule:

 In the every following fraction, the numerator and denominator are sums of two previous
numerators and denominators, respectively.
 The sequence looks fairly theoretical but amazingly, it is fully applicable to plant science,
namely to different types of spiral phyllotaxis

Guide Questions:
1. Explain how stem, support leaves and reproductive structures, provides internal transport and
produce new living tissues.
2. Explain the process of secondary growth of stems
3. What happens to the original primary tissues of the stem once secondary growth occurs?
4. How are stems used for reproduction?

Page 5 of 6
 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES NORTE STATE COLLEGE
F. Pimentel Avenue, Brgy. 2, Daet, Camarines Norte – 4600,
Philippines

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Image Source:

1. Stems. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2021, from

http://lifeofplant.blogspot.com/2011/01/stems.html.
2. Tracheids - YouTube. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2021, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wr6kh9soLUs.
3. Plant Organs: Stems chapter PPT video online download. SlidePlayer. (n.d.). Retrieved
October 7, 2021, from https://slideplayer.com/slide/4207850/.
4. Internal structure of monocot stem | definition, examples ... (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2021,
from https://www.toppr.com/ask/content/concept/internal-structure-of-monocot-stem-200831/.
5. Berg, L. R. (2016). Plant Organs: Roots. In Introduction to Botany (8th ed., pp. 133–173).
essay, Cengage Learning Asia Pte. Ltd.

References Content:

Martinková, M., Čermák, M., Gebauer, R., & Špinlerová, Z. (2014). Plant Botany An introduction to
plant anatomy, morphology and physiology. Mendel University in Brno Faculty of Forestry and
Wood Technology.

Berg, L. R. (2016). Plant Organs: Roots. In Introduction to Botany (8th ed., pp. 151–173). essay,
Cengage Learning Asia Pte. Ltd.

Taylor, T. N., Taylor, E. L., & Krings, M. (2009, July 27). Introduction to vascular plant morphology
and anatomy. Paleobotany (Second Edition). Retrieved October 7, 2021, from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123739728000073.

Shipunov, A. (2021). Introduction to Botany. Minot State University (North Dakota, USA) with the
help of students in Biology 154 and Biology 310 classes.

Page 6 of 6