Sunflower Stem (Longitudinal Section)
Helianthus annuus
This longitudinal section of a sunflower stem illustrates the axial orientation of plant tissues in a typical dicotyledonous stem. Running along the outer flanks are elongated epidermal and cortical collenchyma cells providing structural support. Flanking the central region are prominent vascular strands showing parallel, elongated vascular elements, including lignified xylem vessels with reticulate, annular, and spiral wall thickenings, along with narrow phloem sieve tube members and companion cells. The central axis features an expansive pith (medulla) composed of large, thin-walled parenchyma cells with visible intercellular spaces, characteristic of herbaceous dicot stem anatomy under differential botanical staining.
- Category
- Botany & Plants
- Magnification
- 20x
- Stain
- Safranin / Fast Green
- Tags
- sunflower stem, Helianthus annuus, longitudinal section, sunflower, dicot stem, vascular bundle, xylem vessel, phloem, pith parenchyma, cortex, epidermis, collenchyma, annular thickening, spiral thickening, sieve tubes, plant histology, plant anatomy, Asteraceae, brightfield, Fast Green, Safranin, plant cell wall, lignification
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