Vessel element

Vessel elements are found in most angiosperms (flowering plants) and in some gymnosperms such as cycads and Ephedra, but absent in conifers.

Xylem is the tissue in vascular plants that conducts water (and substances dissolved in it) upwards from the roots to the shoots.

Vessels form an efficient system for transporting water (including necessary minerals) from the root to the leaves and other parts of the plant.

A long cell, oriented along the axis of the stem, called a "fusiform initial", divides along its length forming new vessel elements.

The cell wall of a vessel element becomes strongly "lignified", i.e. it develops reinforcing material made of lignin.