Defines pith

“Pith” refers to the soft, spongy tissue found in the center of the stems, branches, and trunks of certain plants. It is composed of parenchyma cells, which have thin cell walls and large intercellular spaces filled with air. Pith serves several functions within the plant, including providing structural support, storing and transporting nutrients and water, and assisting in the conduction of water and sap. In some plants, particularly herbaceous species, the pith may be relatively large and prominent, while in others, such as woody plants, it may become reduced or even absent as the plant matures.