3.2. Stem

Stems are important conductive organs. In many plants, the photosynthetic leaves and the water-absorbing roots are separated by great distances and, therefore, must be bridged with vascular tissues. Large trees with massive, wide trunks are an example of how a stem may become devoted to conduction. Stems are also highly effective storage organs for water or food. For instance, desert cacti can persist for long periods of time without rain by storing water reserves in their  succulent stems. The vascular bundle, each consisting of both phloem and xylem, straddles the entire length of the stem and allows for the transport of water and sugars throughout the plant body.