"Scattered" distribution of vascular bundles in monocots

Transverse sectional view of corn (Zea mays) stem internode showing a "scattered" distribution of closed vascular bundles in the ground parenchyma. Such distribution is characteristic of monocot stem. Although the vascular bundles are scattered throughout the stem, they are more numerous near the periphery. In a three-dimensional organization they are actually interconnected in a complex format.