The Medulla, or Pith

In Biology, the pith refers to spongy, typically mushy material that is present in the centre of the stems and roots of many plants. This tissue is also known as the Medulla. There are many parenchyma cells in the medulla tissue, a type of plant cell characterised by its large size and thin cell wall. Its primary functions include storing nutrients and delivering those nutrients through its stem, branches, leaves, and roots. As a supplementary definition of the concept of Pith, albedo is the pale, spongy inner layer of rind seen in citrus fruits.

Development of the Pith

New pith development is soft, spongy, and white or pale in most cases. The epithelium often blackens to a darker brown as it ages. In early growth in trees, pith is common; it is frequently replaced by a woody substance called xylem in the trunk and older branches. The medulla tissue in the middle of the stem of some plants may dry out and disintegrate, leaving a hollow stem.

The major axial structure of a perennial system is the stem, which develops from the buds during the embryo period and bears leaves and branches. The apical meristem gives rise to the stem (i.e., the meristematic tissues found at the top or apex of the plant). Remember that the apical meristem comprises multinucleated cells throughout the body that are important for the plant’s vertical growth. It is from this meristem that the three primary meristems emerge:

1. Protoderm (which gives rise to dermal tissues)
2. Procambium (which gives rise to vascular tissues)
3. Ground meristem (which gives rise to non-dermal, non-vascular tissues)

Parenchyma, sclerenchyma, and collenchyma are the three types of cells that make up the ground tissue. Those certain cells fill the space as the stem grows longer vertically. It moves away from gravity and towards the light source (sun).

Is the structure of pith development soft, spongy, and white or pale in most cases?

The tissue often darkens to a darker brown as it ages. During early development in trees, pith is common. In the trunks and mature branches, it is frequently replaced by a woody substance called xylem. The medulla tissue in the middle of the stems from some plants could dry out and collapse, leaving a hollow stem.

Some of the minimum or some medulla tissue can be found in most, if not all, vascular plants, also known as higher plants. The capability of these plants to transmit water and nutrients throughout parts of this plant is a process in which Pith plays a vital role, and is one of their most distinguishing features.

Because of their ability to transfer chemicals up and down the stem and branches, vascular plants have evolved into species with enormous specimens. Non-vascular plants include plant families such as mosses, liverworts, and algae, which lack both medulla tissue and a transport system, limiting their growth to a small scale.

The Main Functions of the Medulla 

• The Pith is a temperate region made up of parenchyma cells found in both the middle portion of the stem and the roots of some plants. 
• The Pith’s principal role is to distribute nutrients throughout the plant before storing them within its cells. 
• It’s also been discovered to play a part in tylosis, a physiological process that helps wounded plants recuperate. 
• The newly developed Pith in stems is whitish or pale, but it turns a darker brown tone as it ages. Some stems also lose their Pith. It dries up and disintegrates, leaving a hollow chamber within the stem. 
• Plants that do not lose their Pith, such as walnuts, are an example fully. Instead, they form a chambered pit where the Pith generates small chambers. As trees develop, they replenish Pith with xylem tissues.
• The genus Ceratina, also known as small carpenter bees, uses the Pith of the stem as their home. 
• Bees build nests in the Pith of plant stems by constructing dwellings out of the dead stalks. Long, linear, sturdy flower stalks of varying diameters are the best plants for making nests.
• Carpenter bees can readily extract Pith, a spongy layer at the centre of the stem. Walnut, sumac, elderberry, and bush honeysuckle are examples of woody plants beneficial to bees’ nests. 
• The interfascicular parenchyma, which connects the Pith to the cortex, is crucial. The pace of cambial growth slows down in the presence of environmental stress.

Conclusion: 

The Medulla rays are cellular features seen in some wood species. They are detectable as radial planar structures perpendicular to the growth rings. They show spreading lines from the log’s centre in a transverse section. They are generated via fascicular cambium activity. The cambium divides by cutting out cells on both the outer and inner sides during the process. These are parenchymatous cells. The majority of these cells become xylem and phloem. It is these medullary and pith rays that facilitate the transportation of water, minerals, and other biological compounds. These rays carry materials to and from the periphery. There are other names for these rays, like Vascular Rays and Pith Rays.