Name the lateral meristem which is responsible for the formation of secondary xylem, secondary phloem and secondary medullary rays?

Answer

To answer the question regarding the lateral meristem responsible for the formation of secondary xylem, secondary phloem, and secondary medullary rays, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Lateral Meristems**:
- Lateral meristems are responsible for the secondary growth in plants, which increases the thickness of the plant.

2. **Identifying the Key Lateral Meristem**:
- In dicots, the primary lateral meristem that contributes to secondary growth is the cambium.

3. **Types of Cambium**:
- The cambium can be further classified into two types: vascular cambium and cork cambium.
- Vascular cambium is specifically responsible for the production of secondary xylem (wood) and secondary phloem (bark).

4. **Formation of Secondary Structures**:
- The vascular cambium divides to form secondary xylem towards the inside and secondary phloem towards the outside.
- It also contributes to the formation of secondary medullary rays, which are radial files of parenchyma cells.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the lateral meristem responsible for the formation of secondary xylem, secondary phloem, and secondary medullary rays is the cambium, also referred to as the cambial ring.

### Final Answer:
The lateral meristem responsible for the formation of secondary xylem, secondary phloem, and secondary medullary rays is the **cambium** (or cambial ring).

---