This chapter suggests multiple roles for ascorbate (ASC) in plant growth and development. The high level of ASC content and utilization that characterizes meristematic tissues has often been correlated with its involvement in cell division and elongation, the two processes on which plant growth is based. The ASC requirement for cell cycle progression has been confirmed by using tobacco cell cultures. The activity of the apoplastic copper ascorbate oxidases seems to be positively correlated with cell elongation. As in all multicellular organisms, programmed cell death is a key event for normal reproductive and vegetative development of plants. The most dramatic changes in ASC metabolism characterizing plant development probably occur during germination of the so-called orthodox seeds. An interesting point concerning the relationship between ASC and seed or fruit maturation is the transport at long distance of ASC. Increasing ASC biosynthetic capability in plants has potential benefits for human nutrition and possibly also for plant growth.