WHAT IS AERENCHYMA?

Aerenchyma tissue in roots and stems is listed as a plants morphological adaptation indicating a wetland (Dennison, 1993). Its formation is an adaptation to flooding, like cypress knees or swollen buttresses, as well as an adaptation to dry soils and low nutrient conditions. It allows oxygen to go from the atmosphere through the leaf into the roots, and for respiratory carbon dioxide to move from the roots into the leaves. Aerenchyma in the stem are connected to the lenticels, and aerenchyma in the roots can make up 70% of adventitious roots.