What does pericycle mean?
In botany, a pericycle is a layer of plant cells at the outer edge of the stele, the central vascular region of a root or stem. It generally lies between the endodermis and the vascular tissues, although its structure varies among plant groups and may be difficult to distinguish in some stems. In roots, the pericycle is especially important because lateral roots originate from its cells, allowing a plant to form branching root systems. The term is also associated with the supporting or strengthening tissues found outside the phloem in many dicot stems. Although it sounds similar to pericyte, the two words belong to different biological contexts: pericycle is used for plants, while a pericyte is an animal cell associated with capillaries. Pericycle is primarily a formal term in plant anatomy, appearing in textbooks, research descriptions, and botanical identification rather than everyday speech. Knowing the word helps distinguish the endodermis, the innermost layer of a root's cortex, from the pericycle just beneath it.
nounA layer of cells forming the outermost part of a plant's stele, typically situated between the endodermis and the vascular tissues. In roots, lateral roots originate from the pericycle.
- A layer of cells at the outer edge of a plant's stele, between the endodermis and the vascular tissues; in roots, it produces lateral roots.
"The pericycle surrounds the root's vascular cylinder and gives rise to many lateral roots."
"The pericycle surrounds the root's vascular cylinder and gives rise to many lateral roots."
"Botanists examined the pericycle to identify the boundary between the endodermis and the root's vascular tissues."
Used when referring to multiple distinct pericycle layers or structures.
"The study compared pericycles from several species and developmental stages."
The pericycle is a plant's root-starter: lateral roots typically begin in this thin ring of cells.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pericycle come from?
The word combines the Greek-derived prefix peri-, meaning “around,” with cycle, which comes from Greek kyklos, meaning “circle.” The resulting botanical term reflects the pericycle's position around the vascular cylinder and is related in origin to words such as cycle, bicycle, tricycle, and cyclic.
Related word forms
How pericycle is actually used
A formal botanical term used chiefly in plant anatomy, botanical research, and descriptions of plant structure; it is not normally used in everyday speech.
Easily confused with pericycle
A pericycle is a layer of cells in a plant's vascular cylinder, whereas a pericyte is a type of animal cell associated with capillaries.