Lateral meristems give rise to secondary growth in plants. Secondary growth is usually horizontal growth. A good example is the deep growth of a tree trunk. Two types of lateral meristems are important to be aware of in the study of plants.
Vascular cambium, the first type of lateral meristem, is sometimes simply called cambium. The cambium is a thin, branching cylinder that, except at the points where the apical meristems are located, runs the length of the roots and stems of most perennial plants and many herbaceous annuals. The cambium is responsible for producing the cells and tissues that increase the thickness, or girth, of the plant.
Cork cambium, another type of lateral meristem, is very similar to vascular cambium in that it is also a thin cylinder that runs the length of roots and stems. The difference is that it is only found in woody plants, as it will produce outer bark.
Both vascular cambium and cork cambium, if present, will begin to produce cells and tissues at the same time that the primary tissues produced by the apical meristems begin to mature.
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