Final answer:
Meristematic tissue in dicots is found along the margins of the leaf lamina, and damage to this area can stop the growth or deform the leaf. Intercalary meristems in monocots, found at the base of leaf blades, allow regrowth after mowing or grazing. The meristem's continuous cell division is essential for plant growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
In forage legume and other dicot leaves, the meristematic tissue is located along the margins of the leaf lamina. Damage or removal of this portion of the leaf can result in the cessation of leaf growth or produce a deformed leaf lamina. Unlike intercalary meristems in monocots, which are located at the bases of leaf blades and at nodes, dicots have meristematic tissue primarily at the leaf margins. The functionality of these tissues is paramount as they contain cells that divide continuously, contributing to the growth and formation of the plants.
Apical meristems are found in the tips of stems and roots, contributing to the increase in length of the plant, while lateral meristems are responsible for the girth increase. In monocots like grasses, meristems at the base of the leaf blades facilitate regrowth after damage. However, in dicots, any significant damage to the meristematic margin of the leaf can halt its development, emphasizing the delicate nature of this growth tissue.