Meristem
/ˈmɛrɪstɛm/noun
A region of plant tissue containing actively dividing cells from which new growth develops.
Did you know?The term was coined in 1858 by Swiss botanist Carl Nägeli from Greek words describing something divisible—a remarkably literal name for tissue built through constant cell division.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*mer-
“To divide, portion, or allot”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μέρος (meros)
“A part, portion, or share”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μερίζειν (merizein)
“To divide or distribute into parts”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μεριστός (meristos)
“Divided or divisible”
1858
German
Meristem
“A term introduced by Carl Nägeli for formative plant tissue whose cells divide”
Modern English
English
meristem
“A plant growth region containing actively dividing cells”