[zahy-luh
m, -lem] 
| a compound tissue in vascular plants that helps provide support and that conducts water and nutrients upward from the roots, consisting of tracheids, vessels, parenchyma cells, and woody fibers. |
| xy·lem (zī'ləm) n. The supporting and water-conducting tissue of vascular plants, consisting primarily of tracheids and vessels; woody tissue. [German, from Greek xulon, wood.] |