· Internal structure of monocotyledonous stem consists of:
§ Epidermis,
§ Hypodermis,
§ Ground tissue and
§ Vascular bundles
- Epidermis
§ It is the outermost layer of the stem made up of single layer of parenchymatous cells and covered with a thick cuticle in some plants
§ Consists of few stomata
· Hypodermis
§ Is made of few layer of sclerenchymatous cells lying below the epidermis
§ This layer gives mechanical strength to the plant
· Ground Tissue
§ Consists of cells inner to the hypodermis
§ Is not distinguished into zones like the dicot stem
§ The cells contain reserve food material e.g. starch
§ Contains the vascular bundles
§ Carry out gaseous exchange function
· Vascular Bundles
§ Vascular bundles are scattered in the ground tissue
§ The vascular bundles are conjoint, collateral, endarch and closed
§ Vascular bundles are skull shaped
§ Xylem
§ Forms the woody part of the plant
§ Carries water and minerals up the plant
§ Dead at functional maturity
§ Phloem
§ Consists of sieve tubes and companion cells
§ Phloem parenchyma and phloem fibres are absent
