Amylenchyma

Amylenchyma, also spelled amylenchyma, is a plant tissue traditionally described as a specialized form of parenchyma. It comprises living parenchyma cells in which the cell walls are thickened unevenly, providing a degree of mechanical support to soft tissues without forming the heavily lignified framework characteristic of sclerenchyma. The name derives from the association with starch (amylo-).

Most amylenchyma cells contain amyloplasts, the plastids that store starch, so the tissue is often linked with starch storage in certain organs. The cells are typically elongated or irregular in shape and can form a loose but resilient network within some storage or supportive regions. Amylenchyma commonly occurs in parts of the plant where both support and storage are advantageous, such as the cortex around stems, near vascular bundles, and in certain tubers or fleshy roots.

Functionally, amylenchyma combines the flexibility of parenchyma with increased wall thickness, contributing to structural support during growth while allowing metabolic activity to continue in living cells. The tissue also participates in storage due to the presence of amyloplasts in many of its cells.

Distinct from collenchyma, which has thickened corners and primarily supports growing organs, and sclerenchyma, which consists of dead, lignified cells, amylenchyma remains living and comparatively less rigid. Its occurrence and prominence vary among plant species and organ types.