Cortex (botany)

Plants

Stems and branches

In the three dimensional structure of herbaceous stems, the epidermis, cortex and vascular cambium form concentric cylinders around the inner cylindrical core of pith. Some of the outer cortical cells may contain chloroplasts, giving them a green color. They can therefore produce simple carbohydrates through photosynthesis.

In woody plants, the cortex is located between the periderm (bark) and the vascular tissue (phloem, in particular). It is responsible for the transportation of materials into the central cylinder of the root through diffusion and may also be used for storage of food in the form of starch.

Roots

In the roots of vascular plants, the cortex occupies a larger portion of the organ's volume than in herbaceous stems. The loosely packed cells of the root cortex allow movement of water and oxygen in the intercellular spaces.

One of the main functions of the root cortex is to serve as a storage area for reserve foods. The innermost layer of the cortex in the roots of vascular plants is the endodermis. The endodermis is responsible for storing starch as well as regulating the transport of water, ions and plant hormones.