Vascular cambium facts for kids

The vascular cambium is a special part of a plant that helps it grow wider. Think of it like a growth layer found in the stems and roots of many plants. It's responsible for making new wood and inner bark.

What is Vascular Cambium?

The vascular cambium is a type of meristem. A meristem is a plant tissue made of special cells that are not yet fully grown or specialized. These cells can divide and create new cells, which then develop into different parts of the plant. It's like a plant's own growth factory!

There are different kinds of meristems. For example, apical meristems are found at the tips of roots and shoots, making the plant grow taller or longer. The vascular cambium is a lateral meristem, meaning it helps the plant grow wider. Another lateral meristem is the cork cambium, which makes the outer bark of a tree.

How Does Vascular Cambium Help Plants Grow?

The vascular cambium is located between two very important tissues in a plant's stem and root:

• Secondary xylem: This is what we call wood. The vascular cambium produces new xylem cells towards the inside of the plant, moving towards the center (called the pith). Xylem's main job is to carry water and nutrients from the roots up to the leaves.
• Secondary phloem: This forms part of the inner bark. The vascular cambium produces new phloem cells towards the outside of the plant. Phloem's job is to carry sugars (food made during photosynthesis) from the leaves to other parts of the plant where they are needed for energy or storage.

Because the vascular cambium keeps making new xylem and phloem, it helps the stem and root get thicker and stronger over time. This is why trees grow wider each year!

Where is Vascular Cambium Found?

You'll find vascular cambium in the stems and roots of most woody plants, like trees and shrubs. It's also present in some non-woody plants. However, only a few types of leaves have a vascular cambium.

• Pictures of Vascular cambium

See also

In Spanish: Cámbium para niños