Parenchyma

parenchyma [ puh–RENG-kuh-muh ] noun: soft plant tissue consisting of thin-walled photosynthetic or storage cells that are alive and capable of division; parenchyma forms the greater part of leaves, stem pith, roots, and fruit pulp

Parenchyma tissue is composed of living cells and, depending on where they are located within the plant, can perform a variety of functions, such as photosynthesis, storage (of carbohydrates, water, and waste), regeneration, healing, secretion, and transport. For example, in leaves, they contain chloroplasts for photosynthesis. In fruit pulp and potatoes, they store starch. In succulents, they store water. In aquatic plants they have air sacs for buoyancy. In cut stems, they grow roots. In underground tubers, they initiate shoots. In woody plants, they produce resins and turpentine for wound healing. In conifers, they form resin ducts. In xylem rays (wood rays), parenchyma cells transport materials, including water, radially and provide tensile strength..

At the center of this older Trillium (clover) stem (a cross-section magnified 40x) is a large pith of starch-storing parenchyma cells. Image courtesy of Berkshire Community College Bioscience Image Library — At the center of this older *Trillium* (clover) stem (a cross-section magnified 40x) is a large pith of starch-storing parenchyma cells. Image courtesy of Berkshire Community College Bioscience Image Library

References

Arens NC. (modified by Arens NC, Strömberg C, Thompson A. 1998). Plant Cell and Tissue Types, Parenchyma. Introduction to Plant Structure. Museum of Paleontology of The University of California at Berkeley.

Słupianek A, Dolzblasz A, Sokołowska K. June 18, 2021. Xylem Parenchyma-Role and Relevance in Wood Functioning in Trees. Plants (Basel). 19;10(6): 1247. doi: 10.3390/plants10061247. PMID: 34205276; PMCID: PMC8235782.

Zuckerman LD, Davidson MW. 2015. Glossary of Terms. Tree Collection. Molecular Expressions. Florida State University. (accessed April 15, 2023).