phloem
noun
phlo·em
| \ ˈflō-ˌem
\
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Definition of phloem
: a complex tissue in the vascular system of higher plants that consists mainly of sieve tubes and elongated parenchyma cells usually with fibers and that functions in translocation and in support and storage — compare xylem
Examples of phloem in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Christopher Vincent, a physiologist at the University of Florida who studies citrus greening, said the waxy coating on the leaves of orange trees has been an impediment to delivering oxytetracycline into the plant’s phloem, or vascular system. — Andrew Jacobs, New York Times, "Spraying Antibiotics to Fight Citrus Scourge Doesn’t Help, Study Finds," 16 Aug. 2019 The part of the circulatory system (called the vascular system in plants) that carries the food (basically sugar water) is located just below the bark and is called the phloem. — Dan Gill, NOLA.com, "How to care for a damaged tree trunk," 18 May 2019 The beetles, just a quarter-inch long, can each lay up to 150 eggs in the phloem layer beneath a tree's bark on top of the wood. — Zaz Hollander, Anchorage Daily News, "Voracious spruce bark beetles are back in force in Southcentral Alaska," 10 June 2018 The beetles chewed and fed on the tree’s phloem, conduits just below the bark for the tree’s life-giving juices. — Lynda V. Mapes, The Seattle Times, "Farewell, giant pine: Climate change kills a champion at Washington Park Arboretum," 13 May 2017 Cane bark (phloem) and wood (xylem) damage can occur in grapevines at temperatures from minus 4 to minus 13. — Eric Degerman, idahostatesman, "Harsh winter takes heavy toll on Treasure Valley vines," 14 Apr. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'phloem.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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