companion cell

Phloem (/ˈfloʊ.əm/, 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 the rest of the plant. This transport process is called translocation. In trees, the phloem is the innermost layer of the bark, hence the name, derived from the Ancient Greek word φλοιός (phloiós), meaning "bark". The term was introduced by Carl Nägeli in 1858.

Phloem (orange) transports products of photosynthesis to various parts of the plant.

Cross-section of a flax plant stem:

1. Pith
2. Protoxylem
3. Metaxylem I
4. Phloem I
5. Sclerenchyma (bast fibre)
6. Cortex
7. Epidermis