Where is the vascular cambium located in a plant?

The vascular cambium is a critical component of the plant's vascular system, responsible for secondary growth, which increases the girth of the stems and roots. It is a layer of meristematic tissue found between the xylem and phloem in the stems and roots. This positioning allows the vascular cambium to produce new xylem cells inward and new phloem cells outward, facilitating the plant's ability to transport water, nutrients, and sugars effectively.

In contrast, the positions described in the other options represent different types of plant tissues or structures. The tips of roots and shoots are dominated by apical meristems, which are responsible for primary growth, not the secondary growth associated with the vascular cambium. Leaf tissues primarily consist of epidermis, mesophyll, and vascular bundles but do not house the vascular cambium. Similarly, the root cortex is a layer of tissue involved in storage and transport rather than containing the vascular cambium, which is situated in the vascular region of the root.

Thus, the accurate location of the vascular cambium as described aligns with its function in growth and development in woody plants.