Invasion Land-Air
Aerenchyma

Aerenchyma is a hallmark of Land Plants

	Aerenchyma tissue is characterized by large intercellular spaces.
	This allows for the diffusion of gases within plant organs.
	It allows for efficeint Gas exchange between cells and the internal atmosphere.
	This allows Organs to become thick while remaining aerobic throughout the plant body.
	Photosynthetic Chlorenchyma is a familiar example of Aerenchyma.
	Ancestral Plants had little Photosynthetic Aerenchyma while advanced plants typically have Photosynthetic tissues with lots of air spaces.
	Aquatic Plants usually have additional nonphotosynthetic Aerenchyma.

The Spongy Mesophyll is a common form of Aerenchyma (A=Air Space)

the photosynyhetic Parenchyma in Marchantia has a lot of air spaces which makes it Aerenchyma

Aerenchyma in a semiaquatic Makaloa Stem (Cyperus laevigatus)

Highly branched Stellate Parenchyma are often found in Aerenchyma.

Nonphotosynthetic Aerenchyma with prominent air spaces (A) in an aquatic Root

Selaginella has a strange Aerenchyma caused by the Trabeculae. Its functional significance is unknown.