sclerenchyma

[ skli-reng-kuh-muh ]

noun

, Botany.

1. supporting or protective tissue composed of thickened, dry, and hardened cells.

sclerenchyma

/ sklɪəˈrɛŋkɪmə; ˌsklɪərɛŋˈkɪmətəs /

noun

1. a supporting tissue in plants consisting of dead cells with very thick lignified walls

sclerenchyma

/ sklə-rĕng′kə-mə /

1. A supportive tissue of vascular plants, consisting of thick-walled, usually lignified cells. Sclerenchyma cells normally die upon reaching maturity but continue to fulfill their structural purpose in the plant. There are two types of sclerenchyma cells: fiber cells and sclereids.
2. Compare collenchyma

Derived Forms

• sclerenchymatous, adjective

Other Words From

• scle·ren·chym·a·tous [skleer-eng-, kim, -, uh, -t, uh, s, skler-], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sclerenchyma¹

First recorded in 1860–65; scler- + (par)enchyma

Word History and Origins

Origin of sclerenchyma¹

C19: from sclero- + parenchyma

Example Sentences

Sclerenchyma fibers of endocarp. x160.

From Project Gutenberg

Spermoderm in surface view. st. sclerenchyma; p, compressed parenchyma. x160.

From Project Gutenberg

It consists of two elements—sclerenchyma and parenchyma cells.

From Project Gutenberg

In Soft Pines these cells are subordinate to the more numerous parenchymatous cells, but in Hard Pines the sclerenchyma increases in amount until, among the serotinous species, it is the predominating tissue of the cone-scale, giving to these cones their remarkable strength and durability.

From Project Gutenberg

In this group of species there is no segregation of sclerenchyma into an effective tissue.

From Project Gutenberg