Final answer:
Intercalary meristems, found at the bases of leaf blades and nodes in monocots like grasses, enable leaves to increase in length and allow grasses to quickly regenerate after being cut or grazed. This adaptation is especially beneficial for lawn grass survival and growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Intercalary Meristems in Grasses
Intercalary meristems are specialized tissues found in monocot plants, such as grasses, that play a critical role in plant growth. They are located at the bases of leaf blades and at nodes, which is where leaves attach to a stem. Unlike apical meristems found in the tips of stems and roots that promote growth by elongation, intercalary meristems contribute to the increase in length from the leaf base, allowing grass leaves to elongate after events such as grazing or mowing.
These tissues are unique to monocots and are highly beneficial as they enable grasses to repair themselves and continue to perform photosynthesis efficiently after the distal portion of the leaf has been removed. Without intercalary meristems, grasses would struggle to grow back after being cut, limiting their ability to thrive in environments where they are frequently grazed or mown.
Overall, intercalary meristems play an essential part in the success of grasses, allowing them to quickly regenerate and replace lost photosynthetic area. This characteristic is notably important for lawn grasses that require the ability to grow back rapidly and consistently after mowing, a common practice in lawn maintenance.