Dicot stem vascular arrangement. Light micrograph (LM) of a section of dicot stem. Vascular tissues transport water and dissolved substances inside the plant and helps support the stem. The two types of vascular tissue are xylem and phloem. Xylem carries water and dissolved ions from the roots to stems and leaves. Phloem carries dissolved sugars from the leaves to all other parts of the plant. Xylem has two kinds of conducting cells, tracheids and vessel elements. Ground tissue of the stem (called pith and cortex) develops support cells to hold the young plant upright. A supporting ring of schlerenchyma (brown) surrounds the vascular bundles. Dicot stems have a distinct ring of vascular bundles. Magnification: x80 when printed at 10 centimetres wide