Term:
Phloem
Phloem
Definition:
The food-conducting tissue of vascular plants. In most woody plants, the inner bark is phloem.
The food-conducting tissue of vascular plants. In most woody plants, the inner bark is phloem.
Glossary Details:
Title: Cross-section of a tree trunk. Drawing by M. N. Sashital.
Description: Cross-section of a tree trunk or branch showing the tissues produced by the cambium and the cork cambium. The tissues produced by the cork cambium (also called the phellogen) are the phellum (also called the bark) to the outside and the phelloderm to the inside are collectively called the bark (also called the periderm). The sapwood consists of xylem which transports water and nutrients to the leaves and the phloem which transports photosynthates (= carbohydrates) to other parts of the plant. The heartwood consists of xylem that no longer conducts water and nutrients and, thus, serves mostly as support for the plant.