What is a Lenticel?

A lenticel is a specific type of porous tissue found in plants. More specifically, a lenticel is a porous tissue consisting of cells with large intercellular spaces in the periderm of the secondarily thickened organs and the bark of woody stems and roots of gymnosperms and dicotyledonous flowering plants. In simpler terms, it's like a small pore or opening in the bark of woody plants, allowing for gas exchange.

Understanding Lenticels

Lenticels are essential for the respiration of woody stems and roots. Because the outer bark is impermeable to gases, plants need these pores to allow oxygen to reach the living tissues beneath and carbon dioxide to escape.

Key Characteristics of Lenticels

• Porous Tissue: Lenticels are made up of loosely packed cells, creating air spaces.
• Location: They are found in the periderm (outer layer) of stems and roots that have undergone secondary thickening. This is common in woody plants.
• Gas Exchange: Facilitate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the plant's interior and the atmosphere.
• Gymnosperms & Dicots: Lenticels are present in gymnosperms (e.g., conifers) and dicotyledonous flowering plants (e.g., maple, oak).

Function of Lenticels

The primary function of lenticels is to facilitate gas exchange.

• Oxygen Intake: Allows oxygen to reach the living cells in the stem and root.
• Carbon Dioxide Release: Allows carbon dioxide, a byproduct of respiration, to exit the plant.

Examples and Practical Insights

Think of lenticels as analogous to the stomata on leaves, but for woody stems and roots. You can often see lenticels as small, raised areas on the surface of bark.

Here's a table summarizing the information: