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The ground tissue between vascular tissue and epidermis is cortex. It consists of connective tissue with intercellular spaces and it may also include sclerenchyma and collenchyma. If the vascular tissue forms a ring between the cortex and the center of the stem, the center is known as pith. In older stems, the pith along with the older inactive xylem becomes heartwood which stores waste products. The heartwood gives strength to the stem (trunk of the tree in older plants).
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