Stem anatomy of Dolichos lablab Linn (Fabaceae): Origin of cambium and reverse orientation of vascular bundles

Secondary growth in the stem of Dolichos lablab is achieved by the formation of eccentric successive rings of vascular bundles. The stem is composed of parenchymatous ground tissue and xylem and phloem confined to portions of small cambial segments. However, development of new cambial segments can be observed from the obliterating ray parenchyma, the outermost phloem parenchyma and the secondary cortical parenchyma. Initially cambium develops as small segments, which latter become joined to form a complete cylinder of vascular cambium. Each cambial ring is functionally divided into two distinct regions. The one segment of cambium produces thick-walled lignified xylem derivatives in centripetal direction and phloem elements centrifugally. The other segment produces only thin-walled parenchyma on both xylem and phloem side. In mature stems, some of the axial parenchyma embedded deep inside the xylem acquires meristematic activity and leads to the formation of thick-walled xylem derivatives centrifugally and phloem elements centripetally. The secondary xylem comprises vessel elements, tracheids, fibres and axial parenchyma. Rays are uni-multiseriate in the region of cambium that produces xylem and phloem derivatives, while in some of the regions of cambium large multiseriate, compound, aggregate and polycentric rays can be noticed.     

Radial secondary growth and formation of successive cambia and their products in Ipomoea hederifolia L. (Convolvulaceae)

Ipomoea hederifolia stems increase in thickness using a combination of different types of cambial variant, such as the discontinuous concentric rings of cambia, the development of included phloem, the reverse orientation of discontinuous cambial segments, the internal phloem, the formation of secondary xylem and phloem from the internal cambium, and differentiation of cork in the pith. After primary growth, the first ring of cambium arises between the external primary phloem and primary xylem, producing secondary phloem centrifugally and secondary xylem centripetally. The stem becomes lobed, flat, undulating, or irregular in shape as a result of the formation of both discontinuous and continuous concentric rings of cambia. As the formation of secondary xylem is greater in one region than in another, this results in the formation of a grooved stem. Successive cambia formed after the first ring are of two distinct functional types: (1) functionally normal successive cambia that divide to form secondary xylem centripetally and secondary phloem centrifugally, like other dicotyledons that show successive rings, and (2) abnormal cambia with reverse orientation. The former type of successive rings originates from the parenchyma cells located outside the phloem produced by previous cambium. The latter type of cambium develops from the conjunctive tissue located at the base of the secondary xylem formed by functionally normal cambia. This cambium is functionally inverted, producing secondary xylem centrifugally and secondary phloem centripetally. In later secondary growth, xylem parenchyma situated deep inside the secondary xylem undergoes de‐differentiation, and re‐differentiates into included phloem islands in secondary xylem. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 30–40.     

Stem anatomy and development of successive cambia in Hebanthe eriantha (Poir.) Pedersen: a neotropical climbing species of the Amaranthaceae

Hebanthe eriantha (Poir.) Pedersen, a climbing species of the Amaranthaceae increases in stem thickness by forming successive cambia. The family is dominated by herbaceous species and is constantly under discussion due to its disputed nature of the meristem. In the young stem small alternate segments of vascular cambium cease to divide and new arc of cambium initiates outside to it. The newly formed arcs connect with pre-existing alternate segments of cambium to complete the ring. On the contrary, in thick stems, instead of small segments, complete ring of cambium is replaced by new one. These new alternate segments/cambia originate from the parenchyma cells located outside to the phloem produced by previous cambium. Cambium is storied and exclusively composed of fusiform initials while ray cells remain absent at least in the early part of the secondary growth. However, large heterocellular rays are observed in 15-mm diameter stems but their frequency is much lower. In some of the rays, ray cells become meristematic and differentiate into radially arranged xylem and phloem elements. In fully grown plants, stems are composed of several successive rings of secondary xylem alternating with secondary phloem. Secondary xylem is diffuse-porous and composed of vessels, fibres, axial parenchyma while exceptionally large rays are observed only in the outermost regions of thick stems. Vessel diameter increases progressively from the centre towards the periphery of stems. Although the origin of successive cambia and composition of secondary xylem of H. eriantha remains similar to other herbaceous members of Amaranthaceae, the occurrence of relatively wider and thick-walled vessels and large rays in fully grown plants is characteristic to climbing habit.     

Formation of successive cambia and stem anatomy of Sesuvium sesuvioides (Aizoaceae)

Mature stems of Sesuvium sesuvioides (Fenzl) Verdc. were found to be composed of successive rings of xylem alternating with phloem. Repeated periclinal divisions in the parenchyma outside the primary phloem gave rise to conjunctive tissue and the lateral meristem that differentiate into the vascular cambium on its inner side. After the formation of the vascular cambium, the lateral meristem external to it became indistinct as long as the cambium was functional. As the cambium ceased to divide, the lateral meristem again became apparent prior to the initiation of the next cambial ring. The cambium was exclusively composed of fusiform cambial cells with no rays. In the young saplings, the number of cambial cylinders in the axis varied from the apex to the base, indicating formation of several rings within the year. In each successive ring of the lateral meristem, small segments differentiated into the vascular cambium and gave rise to vessels, axial parenchyma, fibres and fibriform vessels towards the inside, and secondary phloem on the outer side. In the old stems, non‐functional phloem of the innermost rings was replaced by a new set of sieve tube elements formed by periclinal divisions in the cambial segments associated with the non‐functional phloem. In some places the cambial segments completely differentiate into derivatives leaving no cambial cells between the xylem and phloem. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158 , 548–555.     

Wood Anatomy and the Development of Interxylary Phloem of Ipomoea hederifolia Linn. (Convolvulaceae)

In Ipomoea hederifolia Linn., stems increase in thickness by forming successive rings of cambia. With the increase in stem diameter, the first ring of cambium also gives rise to thin-walled parenchymatous islands along with thick-walled xylem derivatives to its inner side. The size of these islands increases (both radially and tangentially) gradually with the increase in stem diameter. In pencil-thick stems, that is, before the differentiation of a second ring of cambium, some of the parenchyma cells within these islands differentiate into interxylary phloem. Although all successive cambia forms secondary phloem continuously, simultaneous development of interxylary phloem was observed in the innermost successive ring of xylem. In the mature stems, thick-walled parenchyma cells formed at the beginning of secondary growth underwent dedifferentiation and led to the formation of phloem derivatives. Structurally, sieve tube elements showed both simple sieve plates on transverse to slightly oblique end walls and compound sieve plates on the oblique end walls with poorly developed lateral sieve areas. Isolated or groups of two to three sieve elements were noticed in the rays of secondary phloem. They possessed simple sieve plates with distinct companion cells at their corners. The length of these elements was more or less similar to that of ray parenchyma cells but their diameter was slightly less. Similarly, in the secondary xylem, perforated ray cells were noticed in the innermost xylem ring. They were larger than the adjacent ray cells and possessed oval to circular simple perforation plates. The structures of interxylary phloem, perforated ray cells, and ray sieve elements are described in detail.     

Development of successive cambia and pattern of secondary growth in the stem of the Neotropical liana Rhynchosia phaseoloides (SW.) DC. (Fabaceae)

The occurrence of flattened stems in Rhynchosia phaseoloides (SW.) DC. (Fabaceae) has been known for years, but little interest has been shown toward elucidating its secondary growth. This study aims to (1) understand the pattern of secondary growth and development of vascular elements from the cambium at different stages of stem growth and (2) elucidate the type, size and distribution of cells related to these processes at different regions of the stem. Dilatation growth in main stems and branches of R. phaseoloides is achieved by successive cambia formed in two areas of the actual cortex that are opposed to each other by approximately 180°. Only the first cambial ring is functionally normal and closed-elliptical in outline, supporting the growth of the middle part of the rather flat stem. Later on, this stem becomes oval to oblong in cross-section outline by the activity of successive cambia from which cells produce further xylem, phloem and parenchyma tissues in a somewhat fan-shaped way. As shown in cross section, a flat cable-like structure of several modules results, forming wings relative to the primary central axis tissues. The secondary cambia are formed by dedifferentiation of cortical parenchyma cells, resulting in small clusters of radially arranged meristematic bands of cells. From these meristematic bands, an outward-facing crescent-shaped new band of cambium is originated. The innermost cells of this meristematic band form the parenchymatic tissue that connects the new lateral module to the proximal one. This occurs several times during the whole stem ontogeny.     

SUCCESSIVE CAMBIA IN THE STEM OF PHYTOLACCA DIOICA

Phytolacca dioica L., an evergreen tree of the Phytolaccaceae, is one of the species of Phytolacca which shows anomalous secondary thickening in its stem. This mode of thickening has been regarded as successive cambial activity or alternatively, in some more recent interpretations, as thickening by unidirectional activity of a cambial zone. The stem thickening of P. dioica is of the former type. The cambium produces fascicular strands, showing centrifugal differentiation of xylem and centripetal differentiation of phloem on opposite sides of the cambial layer, and rays are produced between the fascicular areas. In both xylem and phloem the younger elements are closer to the cambium than the older elements. Succeeding cambia arise periodically by periclinal divisions in a layer of parenchyma cells two or three cells beyond the outermost intact phloem derived from the current cambium. Each cambium forms a few parenchyma cells on both sides before it forms derivatives which mature into lignified xylem elements or conductive elements of the phloem. The parenchyma thus formed toward the outside later becomes the site of the origin of the succeeding cambium. Only one or two layers of this phloem parenchyma go on to form the new cambium; the remaining cells accumulate between the outermost phloem and the cortex. P. weberbaueri shows stem structure similar to P. dioica. P. meziana, a shrub, shows normal stem structure.     

药用植物商陆(Phytolacca acinosa Roxb.)根中异常次生结构的发育解剖学研究

本文报道了药用植物商陆根中异常次生结构的发生和发育过程。商陆根的初生结构和早期的次生结构都是正常的。但是,后来在维管柱的外围以离心的顺序先后产生5-7轮异常形成层.第一轮异常形成层起源于次生韧皮薄壁细胞和射线细胞。后一轮异常形成层在前一轮异常形成层向外产生的薄壁结合组织中发生。各轮异常形成层都以正常的活动方式产生同心环状排列的异常维管束以及它们之间丰富的薄壁结合组织,从而使根变成肉质状。薄壁结合组织细胞以及异常维管束内的薄壁组织细胞中贮藏有淀粉粒。     

Stem anatomy of the dwarf subshrub Cressa cretica L. (Convolvulaceae)

Stem anatomy and development of medullary phloem are studied in the dwarf subshrub Cressa cretica L. (Convolvulaceae). The family Convolvulaceae is dominated by vines or woody climbers, which are characterized by the presence of successive cambia, medullary- and included phloem, internal cambium and presence of fibriform vessels. The main stems of the not winding C. cretica shows presence of medullary (internal) phloem, internal cambium and fibriform vessels, whereas successive cambia and included phloem are lacking. However, presence of fibriform vessels is an unique feature which so far has been reported only in climbing members of the family. Medullary phloem develops from peri-medullary cells after the initiation of secondary growth and completely occupies the pith region in fully grown mature plants. In young stems, the cortex is wide and formed of radial files of tightly packed small and large cells without intercellular air spaces. In thick stems, cortical cells become compressed due to the pressure developed by the radial expansion of secondary xylem, a feature actually common to halophytes. The stem diameter increases by the activity of a single ring of vascular cambium. The secondary xylem is composed of vessels (both wide and fibriform), fibres, axial parenchyma cells and uni-seriate rays. The secondary phloem consists of sieve elements, companion cells, axial and ray parenchyma cells. In consequence, Cressa shares anatomical characteristics of both climbing and non-climbing members. The structure of the secondary xylem is correlated with the habit and comparable with that of other climbing members of Convolvulaceae.     

PHLOEM OF SPHENOPHYLLUM

The phloem of most fossil plants, including that of Sphenophyllum, is very poorly known. Sphenophyllum was a relatively small type of fossil arthrophyte with jointed stems bearing whorls of leaves ranging in form from wedge or fan-shaped to bifid, to linear. The aerial stem systems of the plant exhibited determinate growth involving progressive reduction in the dimensions of the stem primary bodies, fewer leaves per whorl, and smaller and simpler leaves distally. The primary phloem occurs in three areas alternating in position with the arms of the triarch centrally placed primary xylem. Cells of the primary phloem, presumably sieve elements, are axially elongate with horizontal to slightly tapered end walls. In larger stems with abundant secondary xylem and secondary cortex or periderm, a zone of secondary phloem occurs whose structure varies in the three areas opposite the arms of the primary xylem, as opposed to the three areas lying opposite the concave sides of the primary xylem. The axial system of the secondary phloem consists of vertical series of sieve elements with horizontal end walls. In the areas opposite the protoxylem the parenchyma is present as a prominent ray system showing dilation peripherally. Sieve elements in the areas opposite the protoxylem arms have relatively small diameters. In the areas between the protoxylem poles the secondary phloem sieve elements have large diameters and are less obviously in radial files, while the parenchyma resembles that of the secondary xylem in these areas in that it consists of strands of cells extending both radially and tangentially. An actively meristematic vascular cambium has not been found, indicating that this layer changed histologically after the cessation of growth in the determinate aerial stem systems and was replaced by a post-meristematic parenchyma sheath made up of axially elongate parenchyma lacking cells indicative of being either fusiform or ray initials. A phellogen arose early in development in a tissue believed to represent pericycle and produced tissue comparable to phellem externally. Normally, derivatives of the phellogen underwent one division prior to the maturation of the cells. Concentric bands of cells with dark contents apparently represent secretory tissue in the periderm and cell arrangements indicate that a single persistent phellogen was present. Sphenophyllum is compared with other arthrophytes as to phloem structure and is at present the best documented example of a plant with a functionally bifacial vascular cambium in any exclusively non-seed group of vascular plants.     

Induction of cambial reactivation by localized heating in a deciduous hardwood hybrid poplar (Populus sieboldii x P. grandidentata)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The timing of cambial reactivation plays an important role in the control of both the quantity and the quality of wood. The effect of localized heating on cambial reactivation in the main stem of a deciduous hardwood hybrid poplar (Populus sieboldii x P. grandidentata) was investigated. METHODS: Electric heating tape (20-22 degrees C) was wrapped at one side of the main stem of cloned hybrid poplar trees at breast height in winter. Small blocks were collected from both heated and non-heated control portions of the stem for sequential observations of cambial activity and for studies of the localization of storage starch around the cambium from dormancy to reactivation by light microscopy. KEY RESULTS: Cell division in phloem began earlier than cambial reactivation in locally heated portions of stems. Moreover, the cambial reactivation induced by localized heating occurred earlier than natural cambial reactivation. In heated stems, well-developed secondary xylem was produced that had almost the same structure as the natural xylem. When cambial reactivation was induced by heating, the buds of trees had not yet burst, indicating that there was no close temporal relationship between bud burst and cambial reactivation. In heated stems, the amount of storage starch decreased near the cambium upon reactivation of the cambium. After cambial reactivation, storage starch disappeared completely. Storage starch appeared again, near the cambium, during xylem differentiation in heated stems. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that, in deciduous diffuse-porous hardwood poplar growing in a temperate zone, the temperature in the stem is a limiting factor for reactivation of phloem and cambium. An increase in temperature might induce the conversion of storage starch to sucrose for the activation of cambial cell division and secondary xylem. Localized heating in poplar stems provides a useful experimental system for studies of cambial biology.     

Structure and ontogeny of successive cambia in Tetrastigma (Vitaceae), the host plants of Rafflesiaceae

Successive cambia in Vitaceae have been reported solely for Tetrastigma, a diverse genus of lianas found primarily in tropical Asia, extending into Australia. However, the structure and origin of these successive cambia have never been fully studied. Here we report the presence of this cambial variant in Tetrastigma retinervum and T. voinierianum, and describe its ontogeny in detail in the latter. New cambia appear successively in stems of Tetrastigma differentiating from the innermost parenchyma cells of the primary phloem, which are located interior to the pericyclic fiber strands. This study constitutes the first report of successive cambia being derived from primary phloem parenchyma in woody plants as a whole. Both species are members of Tetrastigma clade VI, the most species‐rich lineage within the genus. The examination of mature stems of additional species of Tetrastigma should determine the distribution of this unique type of cambial variant in the genus and enhance our understanding of the adaptive significance of this unusual character.     

The rise and evolution of the cambial variant in Bignonieae (Bignoniaceae)

SUMMARY Cambial variants represent a form of secondary growth that creates great stem anatomical diversity in lianas. Despite the importance of cambial variants, nothing is known about the developmental mechanisms that may have led to the current diversity seen in these stems. Here, a thorough anatomical analysis of all genera along the phylogeny of Bignonieae (Bignoniaceae) was carried out in order to detect when in their ontogeny and phylogeny there were shifts leading to different stem anatomical patterns. We found that all species depart from a common developmental basis, with a continuous, regularly growing cambium. Initial development is then followed by the modification of four equidistant portions of the cambium that reduce the production of xylem and increase the production of phloem, the former with much larger sieve tubes and an extended lifespan. In most species, the formerly continuous cambium becomes disjunct, with cambial portions within phloem wedges and cambial portions between them. Other anatomical modifications such as the formation of multiples of four phloem wedges, multiple-dissected phloem wedges, and included phloem wedges take place thereafter. The fact that each novel trait raised on the ontogenetic trajectory appeared in subsequently more recent ancestors on the phylogeny suggests a recapitulatory history. This recapitulation is, however, caused by the terminal addition of evolutionary novelties rather than a truly heterochronic process. Truly heterochronic processes were only found in shrubby species, which resemble juveniles of their ancestors, as a result of a decelerated phloem formation by the variant cambia. In addition, the modular evolution of phloem and xylem in Bignonieae seems to indicate that stem anatomical modifications in this group occurred at the level of cambial initials.     

Cold stability of microtubules in wood-forming tissues of conifers during seasons of active and dormant cambium

The cold stability of microtubules during seasons of active and dormant cambium was analyzed in the conifers Abies firma, Abies sachalinensis and Larix leptolepis by immunofluorescence microscopy. Samples were fixed at room temperature and at a low temperature of 2–3°C to examine the effects of low temperature on the stability of microtubules. Microtubules were visible in cambium, xylem cells and phloem cells after fixation at room temperature during seasons of active and dormant cambium. By contrast, fixation at low temperature depolymerized microtubules in cambial cells, differentiating tracheids, differentiating xylem ray parenchyma and phloem ray parenchyma cells during the active season. However, similar fixation did not depolymerize microtubules during cambial dormancy in winter. Our results indicate that the stability of microtubules in cambial cells and cambial derivatives at low temperature differs between seasons of active and dormant cambium. Moreover, the change in the stability of microtubules that we observed at low temperature might be closely related to seasonal changes in the cold tolerance of conifers. In addition, low-temperature fixation depolymerized microtubules in cambial cells and differentiating cells that had thin primary cell walls, while such low-temperature fixation did not depolymerize microtubules in differentiating secondary xylem ray parenchyma cells and tracheids that had thick secondary cell walls. The stability of microtubules at low temperature appears to depend on the structure of the cell wall, namely, primary or secondary. Therefore, we propose that the secondary cell wall might be responsible for the cold stability of microtubules in differentiating secondary xylem cells of conifers.     

Cambial reactivation in locally heated stems of the evergreen conifer Abies sachalinensis (Schmidt) Masters

A study was made of cambial activity, the localization of storage starch around the cambium, and the localization and occurrence of microtubules in cambial cells from dormancy to reactivation in locally heated (22–26 °C) stems of the evergreen conifer Abies sachalinensis. Heating induced localized reactivation of the cambium in the heated portions of the stem. Erect ray cambial cells resumed cell division 1 d prior to the reactivation of fusiform cambial cells and procumbent ray cambial cells. The re-initiation of the division of fusiform cambial cells occurred first on the phloem side. During the heat treatment, the amount of storage starch decreased in procumbent ray cambial cells and in the phloem parenchyma adjacent to the cambium but increased in fusiform cambial cells. Preprophase bands of microtubules, spindle microtubules and phragmoplast microtubules were observed both in erect ray cambial cells and in procumbent ray cambial cells. By contrast, no evidence of the presence of such preprophase bands of microtubules was detected in fusiform cambial cells. The results suggest that the localized heating of stems of evergreen conifers might provide a useful experimental model system for studies of the dynamics of cambial reactivation in intact trees. Received: 25 May 2000 / Accepted: 12 July 2000     

Wood and stem anatomy of woody Amaranthaceae s.s.: ecology, systematics and the problems of defining rays in dicotyledons

Wood and stem anatomy is studied for seven species of six genera (root anatomy also reported for one species) of Amaranthaceae s.s. Quantitative data on vessels correlate closely with relative xeromorphy of respective species, agreeing with values reported for dicotyledons without successive cambia in comparable habitats. Libriform fibre abundance increases and vessel diameter decreases as stems and roots of the annual Amaranthus caudatus mature. Long, thick-walled fibres in Bosea yervamora may be related to the upright nature of elongate semi-climbing stems. Non-bordered or minutely bordered perforation plates characterize Amaranthaceae, as they do most other Caryophyllales. Amaranthaceae have idioblastic cells containing druses, rhomboidal crystals or crystal sand: these forms intergrade and seem closely related. Rays are present in secondary xylem of the Amaranthaceae studied. Cells intermediate between ray cells and libriform fibres occur in Charpentiera elliptica . Degrees of diversity in rays and reports of raylessness in Amaranthaceae induce discussion of definition and identification of rays in dicotyledons; some sources recognize both rays and radial plates of conjunctive tissue in Amaranthaceae. The action of successive cambia is described: lateral meristem periclinal divisions produce secondary cortex externally, conjunctive tissue internally and yield vascular cambia as well. Vascular cambia produce secondary phloem and secondary xylem, in both ray and fascicular zones, as in a dicotyledon with a single cambium. Identification of meristem activity and appreciation of varied ray manifestations are essential in understanding the ontogeny of stems in Amaranthaceae (which have recently been united with Chenopodiaceae).  © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2003, 143 , 1–19.     

ORIGIN AND ACTIVITY OF SUCCESSIVE CAMBIA IN CYCAS (CYCADALES)

Observations of the vascular tissue of Cycas shoots have provided supporting evidence that the first vascular cambium as well as subsequent successive cambia are simultaneously active. The establishment of the second cambium occurs during the seedling stage, and differentiates mainly within the cortical cells. However, cambial activity also occurs within phloem parenchyma cells of the first vascular cylinder. Tracheids in the first and the successive vascular cylinders are generally of the same length; however, there is a trend toward increasing length within the successive cylinders, possibly because the successive cambia are long-lived.     

EFFECTS OF TREE AGE ON SECONDARY XYLEM AND PHLOEM ANATOMY IN STEMS OF GREAT BASIN BRISTLECONE PINE (PINUS LONGAEVA)

Xylem and phloem tissue samples were collected from various-aged Great Basin bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva D. K. Bailey) stems in southern Utah and southeastern California to determine whether the vascular cambia of older trees produce fewer xylem rays, shorter-lived xylem and phloem ray cells, fewer phloem sieve cells, and a thinner phloem. Increment cores were examined to determine whether ‘aged’ cambia produced narrower tracheids that might reduce water translocation. Sapwood thickness was measured and sapwood growth layers were counted on these cores. Regression and Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analyses of sample data found no age-related changes in cambial products. Phloem and xylem production appeared normal at all ages, with no evidence of cambial malfunction.     

Cambial Activity and Distribution of Rubber in Guayule (Parthenium argentatum)

Vascular cambium in Guayule, a rubber producing Mexican shrubof Asteraceae family is non-storied. Cambial activity variesperiodically, and the vascular cambium and its immediate derivativesdo not contain rubber. However, as the xylem and phloem parenchymacells derived from the vascular cambium age, rubber depositionstarts from the cell periphery along the walls and later towardstheir cell lumen. Though the sieve tubes and companion cellsof phloem contain no rubber, all parenchyma cells of xylem andphloem, show the presence of rubber, though its amount varies.However, certain lignified xylem ray cells and lignified pithcells are devoid of rubber accumulation. Microfluorescence studiesshow that the epithelial, phloem ray parenchyma, cortical andpith cells, in descending order, have the highest to lowestrubber content. The size and number of rubber particles observedin the parenchyma cells are greatest during the period of cambialdormancy than in an active cambial period Cambium, guayule, rubber     

Interxylary phloem: Diversity and functions

Interxylary phloem is here defined as strands or bands of phloem embedded within the secondary xylem of a stem or root of a plant that has a single vascular cambium. In this definition, interxylary phloem differs from intraxylary phloem, bicollateral bundles, pith bundles, and successive cambia. The inclusive but variously applied terms included phloem and internal phloem must be rejected. Histological aspects of interxylary phloem are reviewed and original data are presented. Topics covered include duration of interxylary phloem; relationship in abundance between sieve tubes in external phloem and interxylary phloem; distinctions between interxylary and intraxylary phloem; presence of parenchyma, fibers, and crystals in the interxylary phloem strands; development of cambia within interxylary phloem strands; three-dimensionalization and longevity of phloem, systematic distribution of interxylary phloem; physiological significance; and habital correlations. No single physiological phenomenon seems to explain all instances of interxylary phloem occurrence, but rapidity and volume of photosynthate transport seem implicated in most instances.