Plants don’t have blood vessels, but they still require a transportation system to circulate water and nutrients around their bodies and remove waste. Instead they have xylem and phloem vessels which like the internet, are a series of tubes. They are both specialised to carry out their own particular function and arranged in such a way to give the plant as much structure and support as possible.
Xylem vessels circulate water and minerals which are absorbed through the plants’ roots to the rest of its body. Xylem tissue dies after one year and the plant grows another layer, hence the rings in a tree trunk, and indeed the word itself is derived from the Ancient Greek word ξύλον (xylon), meaning “wood”; Xylem vessels move nutrients from the roots toward the leaves. Maple syrup is one type xylem sap and, the internet tells me, is a wonderful topping for pancakes, waffles and desserts.
What a bunch of sap (buckets)!
Have a great day everyone, get outside and soak in some sunlight if you can!