What is the Difference Between Fascicular Cambium and Interfascicular Cambium

The key difference between fascicular cambium and interfascicular cambium is that fascicular cambium is a cambium that occurs within a vascular bundle between the xylem and phloem, while interfascicular cambium is a cambium between the vascular bundles.

Cambium refers to meristematic cells present between the xylem and phloem of dicot plants. The xylem and phloem collectively make the vascular bundle of plants. The primary function of the cambium is to produce vascular tissue; hence it is called the vascular cambium. The vascular cambium pushes the xylem towards the inner side and the phloem towards the outer side in stems and roots. There are two types of vascular cambium in dicot plants: fascicular cambium (intrafascicular cambium) and interfascicular cambium.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Fascicular Cambium  
3. What is Interfascicular Cambium
4. Similarities – Fascicular Cambium and Interfascicular Cambium
5. Fascicular Cambium vs Interfascicular Cambium in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Fascicular Cambium vs Interfascicular Cambium

What is Fascicular Cambium?

Fascicular cambium refers to the meristem cells present between the xylem and phloem of a vascular bundle. Because of this, it is also known as intrafascicular cambium. The fascicular cambium develops from the procambium of the stem apex. The prime function of the fascicular cambium is to generate the xylem onto the center and phloem onto the outer side of the stem. The fascicular cambium also gives rise to the vascular primary and secondary components. Fascicular cambium is present in both primary and secondary parts of the stem of plants.

The fascicular cambium is transformed into the secondary meristem during secondary growth. This leads to the production of vascular tissue inside the region of vascular bundles. Therefore, fascicular cambium tends to be both primary and secondary meristem in dicot plants.

What is Interfascicular Cambium?

Interfascicular cambium is a cambium that occurs between two vascular bundles. It originates from the permanent tissues and forms the secondary meristem. Therefore, basically, the interfascicular cambium is responsible for the formation of the secondary meristem. In addition, secondary vascular components are established by the interfascicular cambium.

During the secondary growth of the stem of dicot plants, the fascicular cambium and interfascicular cambium are fused together. This fusion forms a continuous ring of meristematic tissue called vascular cambium. Moreover, the vascular cambium usually cuts off the secondary xylem towards its inner side and the secondary phloem towards its outer side.

What are the Similarities Between Fascicular Cambium and Interfascicular Cambium?

• Fascicular cambium and interfascicular cambium are two types of vascular cambium.
• They are meristematic cells.
• Both cambiums have cells that are actively dividing.
• They perform pivotal functions in the dicot plants.

What is the Difference Between Fascicular Cambium and Interfascicular Cambium?

Fascicular cambium refers to the cambium between the xylem and the phloem of a vascular bundle, while interfascicular cambium refers to the cambium between the vascular bundles. Thus, this is the key difference between fascicular cambium and interfascicular cambium. Furthermore, the fascicular cambium is derived from the procambium of the stem apex. On the other hand, interfascicular cambium is derived from permanent tissues.

The infographic below presents the differences between fascicular cambium and interfascicular cambium in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Fascicular Cambium vs Interfascicular Cambium

Cambium in dicot plants is a tissue layer that provides undifferentiated cells (meristematic cells) for plant growth. The primary function of cambium is to produce vascular tissue in dicot plants. Therefore, it is known as the vascular cambium. The vascular cambium is the primary growth tissue in the stems and roots of dicot plants. It is mainly of two types as fascicular cambium and interfascicular cambium. Fascicular cambium occurs between the xylem and phloem of a vascular bundle. On the other hand, interfascicular cambium occurs between the vascular bundles. So, this is the key difference between fascicular cambium and interfascicular cambium.

Reference:

1. Wang, Dian, et al. “Vascular Cambium: The Source of Wood Formation.” Frontiers.
2.“(Inter)Fascicular Cambium.”Afzender.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Helianthus stem 2 L” By Jon Houseman – Jon Houseman and Matthew Ford (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Image from page 127 of “Botany; principles and problems” (1923)” By Internet Archive Book Images (Public Domain) via Flickr