Lateral meristem in flowering plants is found in the

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks where the lateral meristem is found in flowering plants. Lateral meristems are the tissues responsible for an increase in the thickness (girth) of a plant, which is called secondary growth.

Step 2: Explain the concept Meristems are regions of actively dividing cells. There are three main types:

• Apical meristem is found at the tips of roots and shoots. It causes growth in length (primary growth).
• Lateral meristem causes growth in width or girth (secondary growth). It includes the vascular cambium and the cork cambium.
• Intercalary meristem is found at the base of nodes or leaves, mainly in grasses. It also causes growth in length.

Step 3: Evaluate the options

• A. Cortex: This is a permanent tissue made of parenchyma cells that store food. It is not meristematic.
• B. Pericycle: This tissue lies just inside the endodermis in roots. It can produce lateral roots and can help form cambium in secondary growth, but it is not itself the lateral meristem.
• C. Cambium: The vascular cambium (between xylem and phloem) and the cork cambium (cork cambium, or phellogen) are the lateral meristems. They are responsible for secondary thickening.
• D. Pith: This is a central ground tissue made of parenchyma, used for storage. It is not meristematic.

Step 4: Answer The lateral meristem is found in the cambium, which is option C.

Tip: Remember "Lateral = Larger girth," and cambium is the tissue that makes stems and roots thicker. "Apical = Above (tip) growth in length."