xylem
xylem
(ˈzaɪləm
, -lɛm) noun
a plant tissue that conducts water and mineral salts from the roots to all other parts, provides mechanical support, and forms the wood of trees and shrubs. It is of two types (protoxylem and metaxylem), both of which are made up mainly of vessels and tracheids. See also
protoxylem,
metaxylem
[C19: from Greek xulon wood]
