phloem

/ˈfloʊ.əm/

UK: /ˈfləʊ.əm/

FLOƱ · əm (2 syllables)

English Noun

Definition

A vascular tissue in land plants primarily responsible for the distribution of sugars and nutrients manufactured in the shoot.

Etymology

First attested in 1872. From German Phloëm, coined by Swiss botanist Carl Nägeli in 1858 from Ancient Greek φλόος (phlóos, “husk, bark”) + a Greek-sounding ending -em (cf. System).