Collenchyma is found below the epidermis in petiole, leaves and stem in dicots and provides mechanical strength to the plant. It is present either in continuous homogeneous layers or in uneven patches. The tissue is made up of living cells that have cellulose, hemicellulose and pectin thickenings at the corners. The elongated cells of the collenchyma have central nucleus, peripheral cytoplasm and often possess chloroplast. Cells in collenchyma are compactly arranged without intercellular spaces.
