spongy parenchyma

plant tissue

Also known as: spongy mesophyll

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July 14, 2026

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Spongy parenchyma, also known as the spongy layer or spongy tissue, is a type of plant tissue found within leaves. It is characterized by irregular, chlorophyll-containing cells that are interspersed with air spaces. This layer is located below the palisade layer, which is another type of parenchyma tissue rich in chloroplasts.12

Parenchyma cells, in general, are living, thin-walled, and adaptable cells found throughout plant bodies. They are crucial for photosynthesis, secretion, and food storage. Spongy parenchyma's air spaces facilitate gas exchange within the leaf, which is essential for photosynthesis.31

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angiosperm
Leaves
…to the leaf surface, and spongy parenchyma, located in the lower part of the leaf and composed of irregularly shaped cells. The veins contain primary xylem and phloem and are enclosed by a layer of parenchyma called the bundle sheath. Only the midvein and some large lateral veins have any…
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…to the leaf surface, and spongy parenchyma, located in the lower part of the leaf and composed of irregularly shaped cells. The veins contain primary xylem and phloem and are enclosed by a layer of parenchyma called the bundle sheath. Only the midvein and some large lateral veins have any…
Read More