Pith , 2. Protoxylem , 3. Xylem I, 4. Phloem I, 5. Sclerenchyma ( bast fibre ), 6. Cortex , 7. Epidermis The amount and complexity of tissue-formation in flowering plants exceeds that of gymnosperms. The vascular bundles of the stem are arranged such that the xylem and phloem form concentric