cross section:Lilium root common name: lily magnification: 40x

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The single layered epidermis lacks a cuticle. Root hairs appear as unicellular extensions of epidermal cells.

The cortex is well-developed and divided into two zones; a narrow outer layer of closely packed smaller parenchyma cells and a wide inner layer of open larger aerenchyma cells The inmost area of the cortex is bounded by a prominent endodermis of cells whose walls are heavily suberized, marking the Casparian stip.

The outer stele is bound is a pericycle of one layer thin walled parenchyma cells.

The vascular tissues consist of radiating arms of xylem and phloem with phloem forming strands near the periphery of the vascular cylinder. The xylem is exarch: meaning the earlier smaller protoxylem is found towards the periphery and younger larger metaxylem to the center of the stem. Phloem tissues of sieve tubes, companion cells and phloem parenchyma are also exarch. The older protophloem is found towards the periphery and metaphloem towards the center of the stem. Phloem parenchyma may become sclerenchymized in older roots. Vascular cambium is absent, preventing secondary growth of the root.