What is collenchyma? Explain its structure and function in the plant body of a herbaceous angiosperm.
The cells of collenchyma are somewhat elongated with cellulose thickening, found as longitudinal strips. These are usually confined to the comers of the cells. Collenchyma cells appear circular, oval or angular in the transverse section. Internally, each cell possesses a large 4 central vacuole, peripheral cytoplasm and a nucleus. Collenchyma is usually found beneath the epidermis in stem, petiole and leaves of herbaceous dicot plants. It is usually absent in monocot stems and monocot roots.
