The cortex allows for the diffusion of water, mineral salts and oxygen from the root hairs inwards. The cortex stores foods reserve, especially starch. The cortex also serves to transport water and salts from the root hairs to the center of the root. The endodermis, with the aid of the Casparian strips, facilitates the movement of water from cortex to xylem. The vascular cylinder comprises all the tissues enclosed by the endodermis.
Lateral roots arise from the pericycle.
The vascular tissue is conducting tissue in the root. It consists of xylem and phloem, which are separated from each other by parenchyma. Only primary xylem is present in young roots, which differentiated into protoxylem, which lies against the pericycle, and the metaxylem lying towards the inside. Functions Branch or lateral roots originate in the pericycle. The xylem transports water and dissolved substances from the roots to the stem and leaves.