In shoots and roots that express cambial activity for a long time, the primary bark remains on the outer side, and it is commonly shed when the trunks become very thick. The cortex and epidermis that serve as primary bark is found only in young shoots, in thin roots, or in lineages that lack secondary growth (e.g., non-Asparagalean monocots). The bark (the cortex and epidermis in primary growth, and all the tissues outside the cambium in secondary growth), can be divided into inner and outer bark according to their developmental origin and status. We propose a set of priorities for understanding and further developing bark anatomical studies, including periderm structure in woody plants, phloem phenology, methods in bark anatomy research, bark functional ecology, relationships between bark macroscopic appearance, and its microscopic structure and discuss how to achieve these ambitious goals. Whilst datasets reveal bark’s taxonomic and functional diversity in various ecosystems, a better understanding of the bark can advance the understanding of plants’ physiological and environmental challenges and solutions. The recent technological advances in sampling and preparation of barks for anatomical studies, along with the establishment of an agreed bark terminology, paved the way for more bark anatomical research. The bark fulfils several essential functions in vascular plants and yields a wealth of raw materials, but the understanding of bark structure and function strongly lags behind our knowledge with respect to other plant tissues.
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