initial

(initiating cell, meristematic cell) Any actively dividing cell in a *meristem. Each time an initial divides, one of the daughter cells retains its meristematic properties and remains in the meristem as an initial while the other differentiates to form a cell in the plant body. The latter daughter cell may undergo further divisions but in this event all daughter cells differentiate further. Initials commonly possess a dense cytoplasm. See also vascular cambium.