Note: The translation for this entry is currently under quality review. Some content is temporarily displayed in English only.
secondary xylem
This term refers specifically to the wood of a plant, distinguishing it from primary xylem, which is formed during the initial growth of the apical meristem. It is a technical botanical term used primarily in plant anatomy and forestry to describe the tissue responsible for the thickening of stems and roots.
Because it is a specialized biological tissue, it is treated as an uncountable mass noun. It is not referred to in the plural when discussing the tissue type itself, though one might refer to "samples of secondary xylem" in a laboratory context.
Meanings
The woody tissue produced by the vascular cambium in gymnosperms and angiosperms, consisting primarily of xylem vessels, tracheids, and fibers that provide structural support and transport water and minerals.
The growth of secondary xylem allows a tree to increase in girth and height over time.