phloem

American  

[floh-em] / ˈfloʊ ɛm /

noun

1. the part of a vascular bundle consisting of sieve tubes, companion cells, parenchyma, and fibers and forming the food-conducting tissue of a plant.

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phloem British  

/ ˈfləʊɛm /

noun

1. tissue in higher plants that conducts synthesized food substances to all parts of the plant

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phloem Scientific  

/ flō′ĕm′ /

1. A tissue in vascular plants that conducts food from the leaves and other photosynthetic tissues to other plant parts. Phloem consists of several different kinds of cells: sieve elements, parenchyma cells, sclereids, and fibers. In mature woody plants it forms a sheathlike layer of tissue in the stem, just inside the bark.

2. See more at cambium photosynthesis Compare xylem

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phloem Cultural  

1. The system of vessels in a plant that carries food from the leaves to the rest of the plant. (See xylem.)

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Etymology

Origin of phloem

First recorded in 1870–75; from German Phloëm, irregularly formed from Greek phló(os), phloiós “bark (of a tree), rind (of a fruit)” + -ēma passive noun suffix

Compare meaning

How does phloem compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• xylem vs. phloem

Explanation

In plants, the phloem is part of the system that carries nutrients everywhere they're needed. The phloem of trees is located just underneath the bark. Phloem is a type of plant tissue that resembles tiny tubes and ensures that every part of the plant — including its seeds, fruit, and roots — receives the sugar made during photosynthesis. Phloem, which is usually just inside the stem or bark, is named for a root word that means "bark." If you tap a maple tree for syrup, you'll drill holes through the bark and into the phloem, allowing the sugars (in the form of syrup) to flow out.

Example Sentences

Phloem sap is an aqueous solution that contains up to 30 percent sugar, minerals, amino acids, and plant growth regulators.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Phloem tissue would show the presence of labeled minerals and xylem tissue would show the presence of radioactive sucrose.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Phloem tissue is composed of sieve-tube cells, companion cells, phloem parenchyma, and phloem fibers.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Phloem is the second type of vascular tissue; it transports sugars, proteins, and other solutes throughout the plant.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Phloem cells fill the space between the X. A ring of cells called the pericycle surrounds the xylem and phloem.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015