is a type of tissue consisting of unspecialized, youthful cells
called meristematic cells and found in areas of the plant where
growth is or will take place. Differentiated plant cells have
shapes and structures that would make it problematic for them to
produce cells of a different type; thus, cellular divisions of
the basic cells of the meristem provide new cells for expansion
of tissues. Meristematic cells are analogous in function to stem
cells , are incompletely or not at all differentiated , and are
capable of continued cellular division (youthful). The most
general form of meristem is the apical meristem, found in buds
at the tips of shootss and roots. Apical meristem is completely
undifferentiated. It differentiates into three different kinds
of primary meristem: - Protoderm lies around the outside of the
stem, and develops into the epidermis. - Procambium lies just
inside the protoderm. It develops into the primary xylem,
primary phloem. It also produces the vascular cambium, which may
continue to pr