The term ‘sclerenchyma’ was derived from the Greek word ‘Scleros’ which means harder and ‘Enchyma’ meaning infusion. Mettenius discovered sclerenchyma in the year 1805.
Structure: Providing the skeletal covering of the plant, thus giving shape and morphology Support: Contributing to the rigidity of the plant and thus provide permanent structural support Strength and Protection: Giving mechanical strength and protection to the inner, delicate parts of the plant to withstand outside stressHardness: Sclerids, forms the shell of nuts, the coat of many seeds, and the stone of cherries and plumsTexture: Sclerids provide gritty texture to some fruits such as pears and guavas
