Water and minerals are transported up through the plant stem in xylem vessels. Xylem is a tissue consisting of dead, hollowed-out cells that form a system of pipes.

A fossilized stem of Dernbachia brasiliensis, a tree fern of the Permian (250-300 million years ago). Water-conducting xylem tissue is highlighted in blue. Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert!

The xylem transports water and minerals from the roots up the plant stem and into the leaves. In a mature flowering plant or tree, most of the cells that make up the xylem are specialised cells ...