Vascular Cambium

What Does Vascular Cambium Mean?

In botany, vascular cambium refers to a small cylinder of cells that produce secondary phloem and xylem. Also known as the bifacial cambium, the vascular cambium does not carry minerals, food or water throughout the plant. While it is absent in monocots, it is normally found in most gymnosperms and dicots.

Maximum Yield Explains Vascular Cambium

A plant’s vascular cambium normally consists of two main types of cells:

• Ray initials: These tend to be on the smaller side and roundish to angular.
• Fusiform initials: This type of cell is taller and oriented towards the axis.

In woody plants, the vascular cambium is displayed as a structured line separating the wood and the bark. To ensure a successful plant graft, it is important for the vascular cambia of the scion and rootstock to be aligned in order to properly fuse and grow at the same rate.

The vascular cambium is absent from monocots because these types of plants do not normally engage in secondary growth. In perennial woody plants and trees, the cambium can live for as long as the plant does.