Parenchyma: The Unsung Hero of Plant Tissue

Design and InstallationGarden Caregarden TriviaIndoor plantsPlant Health Care
Written By Peter Morris

THE UBIQUITOUS PARENCHYMA 

Plants contain many types of tissues and within each, various specialized cells - but none of them beat Parenchyma ! These are the biochemistry machines of the plant.

They are alive at maturity (unlike wood) and specialize into many forms. The basis for all plant function - they are everywhere and in abundance – just like our Garden Care team !!!

Their thin and permeable walls allows small molecules to move between cells.

In epidermis, some are specialized for light penetration, gas exchange, or defense (hairs). Others control water loss, heat, and light direction. Specialized cells store sugar, fats, and starches, or secrete oils, nectar and other compounds.

Parenchyma cells found amongst the wood tissue of branches.

Epidermal Parenchyma

In leaves, the two distinct parenchyma are specialized for light penetration and photosynthesis. They contain large amounts of chloroplasts. They also assist in regulating gas exchange (carbon dioxide) through Guard Cells (stomata).

cross section of a typical leaf

Some are also involved in secretion of nectar and manufacturing secondary chemical compounds that act as a protective material (toxins, oils, gum, alkaloids and irritants). 

Typical leaf diagram showing two types of parenchyma cells

Storage Parenchyma

In many vegetables like potatoes, plantains, legumes and root tubers parenchyma will contain a large amount of starch.

Starch granules (blue) inside parenchyma cells of potato

Aerenchyma 

They can also super specialize ! Stellate parenchyma (aerenchyma) in aquatic plants are composed of star-shaped cells with large air spaces between. The air is what keeps the leaves afloat!

Large air filled cells keep this water lily leaf afloat !

Big air spaces keep this water lily stem afloat too !

Glandular parenchyma

The production of sticky gum from glands on this bud keeps insects away (or stuck!)

For a garden full of  parenchyma -

Call Plant Specialists TODAY !

Our Garden Care Team can help you with your garden needs!

Don't delay – the sooner the better !

GREENING NEW YORK FOR OVER 52 YEARS !

Article written by our Staff Horticulturist, Peter B Morris, BSc, MSc, MBA

All photographs used with permission from @SHUTTERSTOCK 

Peter Morris

Peter was born and raised on a beautiful green island in the midst of a tropical rainforest. He was introduced into the world of plants at the age of six when his grandmother, an avid Spanish gardener herself, asked him to help her grow seeds for her pepper garden. He was hooked! By the time he was a teen, he had his own rose and orchid collection numbering in the hundreds. Botany was in his blood, and that is what he set out to study.

His passion brought him to NY in the late seventies to further his education. His tenacity allowed him to work full time at Plant Specialists while he completed a MS in Plant Biology. As a manager at the time he felt unsatisfied with his knowledge of business and business processes. Peter felt compelled to learn, so he then pursued and completed an MBA in Quality Management within a few short years.

Peter’s other passion is teaching. His natural ability is quickly consumed by our staff in all subjects in Botany, Horticulture, and Landscaping. He created an immense reference library of more than 3,500 plants providing an invaluable resource for our staff.

Peter’s breadth of knowledge and wisdom allows him to effectively diagnose the needs of plants. Sometimes just by walking into a garden he can create a prescription that fixes even the hardest issue. He is our Staff Botanist, Diagnostician, and all around Mentor. Recently, he has put his immense knowledge and skills into developing a new department that focuses on Plant Healthcare. As he puts it, “Magic through Science”. The PHC staff that surround him have avidly consumed his teachings. Substantially developing their own plant wisdom, many have taken on difficult plant health issues with spectacular results.

Plant Healthcare has been an instant success with customers! The proper treatment of insects and diseases including Organic methods has made pest control a necessity for every plant. Correcting hormonal imbalances caused by planting in containers or refurbishing soils leached of nutrients by irrigation systems are big challenges PHC has become quite comfortable addressing. The scientific approach to the complex demands of keeping plants healthy in our harsh city environment has made many a customer say WOW!

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