There are two main types of meristems:
* Apical meristems: These are located at the tips of roots and shoots and are responsible for primary growth, which increases the length of the plant.
* Lateral meristems: These are located in the vascular cambium and cork cambium and are responsible for secondary growth, which increases the width of the plant.
Within the meristematic tissue, specialized cells called initials divide repeatedly to produce new cells that will eventually differentiate into the various cell types found in a plant.
