Ground tissues include all tissues except the epidermis and vascular bundles. These tissues are located between the epidermis and the vascular tissues of a plant. They play important roles in supporting and providing structural integrity to the plant, as well as in photosynthesis, storage, and transportation of water and nutrients.

1. Definition of ground tissues:
Ground tissues are the primary tissues of a plant that are responsible for various functions such as photosynthesis, storage, and support. They are called "ground tissues" because they make up the majority of the plant body and are not specialized for any particular function like the dermal or vascular tissues.

2. Exclusion of epidermis:
The epidermis is the outermost layer of cells in a plant and serves as a protective barrier against pathogens, water loss, and mechanical damage. It is specialized in structure and function and differs from the ground tissues. Therefore, it is not considered part of the ground tissues.

3. Exclusion of vascular bundles:
Vascular bundles are composed of xylem and phloem tissues and are responsible for the transportation of water, nutrients, and sugars throughout the plant. These tissues are specialized for conducting fluids and have distinct structures compared to the ground tissues. Thus, vascular bundles are not included in the ground tissues.

4. Inclusion of all other tissues:
All tissues that are not part of the epidermis or vascular bundles are considered ground tissues. This includes the cortex, pith, mesophyll, and collenchyma and sclerenchyma cells. These tissues have various functions such as storage, support, and photosynthesis.

- Cortex: The cortex is the region between the epidermis and vascular tissues in the stems and roots. It provides support and storage of nutrients and water.
- Pith: The pith is the central region of the stem or root, which may contain storage cells and provide support.
- Mesophyll: Mesophyll is the ground tissue found in the leaves and is responsible for photosynthesis.
- Collenchyma and sclerenchyma cells: These cells provide mechanical support to the plant and are found in various parts of the plant.

In summary, ground tissues include all tissues except the epidermis and vascular bundles. They are involved in various functions such as support, storage, and photosynthesis.