Development, dilation and subdivision of cortical layers of gentian (Gentiana asclepiadea) root

•  The structure and development of the cortical layers, especially the endodermis and exodermis, and changes in the cortex caused by the secondary growth of vascular tissues are described in the adventitious roots of gentian (Gentiana asclepiadea). •  Sections along the whole axis of the soil-grown roots were observed using light microscopy; fluorescence microscopy was used to determine developmental stages of the endodermis and exodermis. •  Both endodermis and exodermis develop in three stages: Casparian band formation, suberin lamellae deposition and secondary thickening of walls. After the onset of cambial activity (20 mm from apex) cortical cells expand tangentially and subdivision of individual cells starts between 20 mm and 60 mm from apex. Highly differentiated endodermal cells are divided by 0-19 new anticlinal walls, exodermal cells by 0-3 and parenchymatous mid-cortex by 0-1. •  The additional anticlinal cell walls of the endodermis and exodermis possess neither Casparian bands nor suberin lamellae. Suberin lamellae remain continuous on the surface of extended tangential walls of both layers. There is a correlation between increasing diameter of the secondary vascular tissues and the number of endodermal cells created by subdivision of the original cells.