Xylem vs. Phloem — What's the Difference?

Xylem is one of the two types of transport tissue in vascular plants, the other being phloem. The basic function of xylem is to transport water from roots to stems and leaves, but it also transports nutrients.

Phloem (, FLOH-əm) is the living tissue in vascular plants that transports the soluble organic compounds made during photosynthesis and known as photosynthates, in particular the sugar sucrose, to parts of the plant where needed. This transport process is called translocation.

The tissue of vascular plants that conducts water and minerals, provides support, and consists of tracheary elements and parenchyma cells. Woody tissue is made of secondary xylem produced by the vascular cambium.

The tissue of vascular plants that conducts food produced by photosynthesis to all parts of the plant and consists of sieve elements, fibers, and parenchyma.

(botany) A vascular tissue in land plants primarily responsible for the distribution of water and minerals taken up by the roots; also the primary component of wood.

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

That portion of a fibrovascular bundle which has developed, or will develop, into wood cells; - distinguished from phloëm.

That portion of fibrovascular bundles which corresponds to the inner bark; the liber tissue; - distinguished from xylem.

The woody part of plants: the supporting and water-conducting tissue, consisting primarily of tracheids and vessels

(botany) tissue that conducts synthesized food substances (e.g., from leaves) to parts where needed; consists primarily of sieve tubes