A thin cross-section of the stem of a monocot plant shows the following.
1. Epidermis: The epidermis is single-layered and composed of parenchyma cells. It lacks chondroma and sacrum. Cuticle present.
2. Hypodermis: Below the epidermis lies the hypodermis. It is multi-layered and composed of squamous cells. It has no budget.
3. Ground tissue: Ground tissue extends from the bottom of the hypoderm to the center. It is multilayered and composed of parenchyma cells. Cells are round and have intercellular spaces.
4. Vascular bundles: Vascular bundles are numerous and scattered. It is connected, adjacent and closed. It does not contain cambium. Vascular bundles are surrounded by a sheath of sclerenchyma cells. It is called bundle sheath. Its components are:
(i) Xylem : Metaxylem towards the periphery and protoxylem towards the center i.e. endarch. Xylem looks like the letter Y or V. The xylem breaks down to form lysigenous cavities.
(ii) Phloem: Phloem is located between the two arms of Y-shaped xylem tissue. It lacks phloem parenchyma.