In botany, a type of plant tissue characterized by cell spaces or pits, often found in aquatic plants where it helps with buoyancy and gas exchange.
From Greek 'bothros' (pit or groove) plus 'enchyma,' derived from 'en-' (within) and 'chyma' (an infusion or pouring); botanical Latin term created in the 19th century to describe specific plant tissue structures.
Bothrenchyma in water lilies and other aquatic plants is basically a natural sponge—all those little air pockets help the plants float, and scientists named it by combining Greek words for 'pits' and 'tissue infusion!'
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