xylem

xy·lem  (zlm)

n.

The supporting and water-conducting tissue of vascular plants, consisting primarily of tracheids and vessels; woody tissue.

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[German, from Greek xulon, wood.]

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xylem [zile-em]

Noun

Bot a plant tissue that conducts water and mineral salts from the roots to all other parts [Greek xulon wood]

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xylem  (zlm) A tissue in vascular plants that carries water and dissolved minerals from the roots and provides support for softer tissues. Xylem consists of several different types of cells: fibers for support, parenchyma for storage, and tracheary elements for the transport of water. The tracheary elements are arranged as long tubes through which columns of water are raised. In a tree trunk, the innermost part of the wood is dead but structurally strong xylem, while the outer part consists of living xylem, and beyond it, layers of cambium and phloem. See more at cambiumcapillary action Compare phloem.

xylem Xylem cells in a stem carry water from a plant's roots to its leaves. Phloem distributes food that is made in the plant's leaves to other parts of the plant. Cambium cells divide into either xylem or phloem cells. The cortex and pith, seen in the stem cross section (left), provide structural support.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

xylem - the woody part of plants: the supporting and water-conducting tissue, consisting primarily of tracheids and vessels vascular tissue - tissue that conducts water and nutrients through the plant body in higher plants tracheid - long tubular cell peculiar to xylem ligneous plant, woody plant - a plant having hard lignified tissues or woody parts especially stems