The developmental anatomy of Mirabilis jalapa was investigated during the first 90 days of growth. The primary thickening meristem (PTM) initially differentiates in the pericycle at the top of the cotyledonary node 18 days after germination, then basipetally in the pericycle through the hypocotyl. The PTM differentiates acropetally into the stem and in the pericycle of the primary root, commencing 22 days after germination. Endodermis is easily identifiable in hypocotyls as well as in primary roots because of Casparian thickenings in its cells. It has not been definitely identified in stems. There are three rings of primary vascular bundles in the stem. The PTM differentiates as segments of cambium in a layer of cells (probably in the pericycle) on an arc between vascular bundles of the outer bundle ring. Later, arcs of PTM differentiate externally to the phloem of each bundle. Each arc forms a connection between original segments of PTM lying on either side of each vascular bundle. Thus, the PTM becomes a continuous cylinder. The PTM differentiates in the pericycle outside vascular tissue in the hypocotyl and root. Differentiation of the PTM and the mode of secondary thickening is similar in plants exposed to short (8-hr) and to long (l8-hr) photoperiods, but some differences were observed. The PTM differentiates closer to the stem apex in all plants over 18 days of age growing vegetatively under long photoperiods. That is, the diffuse lateral meristem, in whose cells the PTM differentiates in young internodes, is shorter in nearly all investigated plants growing in long photoperiods. The hypocotyl and base of the primary root of 40-dayold plants in short photoperiods were more enlarged than those of the same age plants in long photoperiods; but, at the end of 64 days, the hypocotyl and primary root base were larger in plants growing under short photoperiods. Thirty-four days after seed germination, flower initiation occurs in plants exposed to short photoperiods. One hundred fifty days after seed germination, flowers differentiate on plants exposed to long photoperiods. 427

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Differentiation of the primary thickening meristem (PTM) was investigated in seedlings and older plants of Phytolacca americana L. Initiation of the PTM occurs in pericycle or inner cortex at the hypocotyl‐primary root junction of young plants. Differentiation of the PTM in stems occurs acropetally in a cylinder of randomly dividing cells termed the diffuse lateral meristem (DLM). The PTM produces secondary tissue to the inside (internal conjunctive tissue) and to the outside (external conjunctive tissue). Patches of xylem and phloem differentiate, opposite each other, in recently produced internal and external conjunctive tissue, respectively. The resulting strands (desmogen strands) of xylem and phloem are secondary in origin, and are peripheral to primary vascular tissues. Phloem of desmogen strands usually differentiates first. Xylem of desmogen strands is composed of both tracheids and vessel elements; the latter sometimes becoming occluded with tyloses and unidentified substances. As root and hypocotyl increase in diameter, cylinders of PTMs differentiate successively and centrifugally in external conjunctive tissue. Even though the first PTM differentiates in pericycle or inner cortex and later PTMs differentiate in external conjunctive tissue, all are referred to as PTMs because of their similar activity. Multiple rings of desmogen strands can be observed in transections of lateral roots, primary roots and hypocotyls. Throughout the length of the stem, only one ring of desmogen strands is present. Fewer rings of desmogen strands are present in the top of the hypocotyl and cotylendonary node, as compared to the subjacent hypocotyl, due to anastomoses of centrifugally differentiating desmogen strands.