Ground tissue

tissue found in plants

Ground tissue is the name for a number of different kinds of tissue of plants. These kinds are usually classified by looking at the cell walls. There are three different main kinds:

  • Parenchyma cells have thin primary walls and usually remain alive after they become mature. Parenchyma forms the "filler" tissue in the soft parts of plants.
  • Collenchyma cells have thin primary walls with some areas of secondary thickening. Collenchyma provides extra structural support, particularly in regions of new growth.
  • Sclerenchyma cells have thick lignified secondary walls and often die when mature. Sclerenchyma provides the main structural support to a plant.
Different kinds of plant cells