Final answer:
Intercalary meristems at the base of leaf sheaths allow grasses to continue to grow after their tips are cut. This specialized tissue is a key factor in the resilience of grass species, enabling them to maintain lush lawns despite regular mowing.
Step-by-step explanation:
In biology, specifically plant physiology, intercalary meristems are responsible for the elongation of plant tissues. These meristems are found at the base of the leaf sheath and lamina in grasses and facilitate the process whereby the grass can continue to grow even after the tips of the leaves have been removed, for instance, by mowing or grazing. The presence of intercalary meristems means that the removal of lamina tips does not significantly impede the growth of the grass because this specialized meristematic tissue allows the leaf blade to increase in length from the leaf base. This attribute is especially vital to the success and resilience of grass species.
Grasses utilize the intercalary meristem, which is a type of meristematic tissue located specifically at nodes and bases of their leaf blades. This meristem type is unique to monocots and enables leaves to elongate after being clipped at the tips. The capability of grass leaves to recover and grow after being cut is a key reason why grassy lawns can remain lush and green even with regular mowing.