Why are meristematic tissues crucial for the continuous growth of plants?

Meristematic tissues are crucial for the continuous growth of plants because they consist of actively dividing cells. These cells retain the capacity for cell division throughout the plant's life, producing new cells that differentiate into various other plant tissues. This continuous production of new cells at specific regions (like root and shoot tips, and cambium) allows the plant to grow in length (primary growth) and girth (secondary growth), replace damaged cells, and produce new organs like leaves and flowers.