A type of plant tissue composed of living cells with unevenly thickened cell walls that provide flexible structural support. These cells allow plant parts to bend without breaking, commonly found in leaf veins and young stems.
From Greek 'kolla' meaning 'glue' and 'enchyma' meaning 'infusion.' The term was coined in the 19th century, referring to the glue-like appearance of the thickened cell wall corners that give this tissue its characteristic strength and flexibility.
Collenchyma is like plant yoga - it provides strength with flexibility! While sclerenchyma is rigid like a cast, collenchyma lets plant parts bend in the wind without snapping, making it perfect for growing shoots that need to be both strong and flexible.
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