Final answer:
The dermal tissue, which includes the epidermis and later the pariderm in woody plants, covers and protects the plant's body.
Step-by-step explanation:
The plant tissue that covers the plant's body, consisting of the epidermis in young and non-woody plants which is later replaced by the pariderm, is known as the dermal tissue. The dermal tissue acts as the plant's skin, playing a significant role in protecting the plant from environmental interactions, and includes functions like waterproofing, gas exchange control through stomata, and protection against physical harm and pathogens. In woody plants, the outer layer known as the bark, made up of cork cells, replaces the epidermal layer as they mature.