page_title: Plant stem
section_title: Stem structure
hierarchical_section_title: Plant stem / Stem structure
caption_attribution_description: en:Flax stem cross-section, showing locations of underlying tissues. Ep = epidermis; C = cortex; BF = en:bast fibres; P = en:phloem; X = en:xylem; Pi = en:pith
context_page_description: A stem is one of two main structural axes of a vascular plant, the other being the root. It supports leaves, flowers and fruits, transports fluids between the roots and the shoots in the xylem and phloem, stores nutrients, and produces new living tissue.
  The stem is normally divided into nodes and internodes:
  The nodes hold one or more leaves, as well as buds which can grow into branches. Adventitious roots may also be produced from the nodes.
  The internodes distance one node from another.
  The term "shoots" is often confused with "stems"; "shoots" generally refers to new fresh plant growth including both stems and other structures like leaves or flowers. In most plants stems are located above the soil surface but some plants have underground stems.
  Stems have four main functions which are:
  Support for and the elevation of leaves, flowers and fruits. The stems keep the leaves in the light and provide a place for the plant to keep its flowers and fruits.
  Transport of fluids between the roots and the shoots in the xylem and phloem
  Storage of nutrients
  Production of new living tissue. The normal lifespan of plant cells is one to three years.
context_section_description: Stem usually consist of three tissues, dermal tissue, ground tissue and vascular tissue. The dermal tissue covers the outer surface of the stem and usually functions to waterproof, protect and control gas exchange. The ground tissue usually consists mainly of parenchyma cells and fills in around the vascular tissue. It sometimes functions in photosynthesis. Vascular tissue provides long distance transport and structural support. Most or all ground tissue may be lost in woody stems. The dermal tissue of aquatic plants stems may lack the waterproofing found in aerial stems. The arrangement of the vascular tissues varies widely among plant species.
caption: Flax stem cross-section, showing locations of underlying tissues. Ep = epidermis; C = cortex; BF = bast fibres; P = phloem; X = xylem; Pi = pith
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