What is the primary plant tissue responsible for lateral meristematic growth, leading to an increase in the girth or thickness of woody stems and roots?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The vascular cambium acts as a lateral meristem that drives secondary growth, producing secondary xylem and phloem to increase the girth of woody stems and roots. Apical meristems, by contrast, are responsible for primary growth resulting in vertical elongation rather than lateral thickening. Plant anatomy questions often differentiate between primary and secondary meristematic tissues.