Phloem is a living tissue in vascular plants which conducts the soluble organic compounds synthesized during photosynthesis downwards from the leaves.

The constituents of phloem are:

Companion cells - it appears to check the activity of the adjacent sieve element and participates in loading and unloading of the sugar into the sieve element.

Sieve tubes - these elongated living cells, conveys carbohydrates, chiefly sucrose from leaves to roots and fruits.

Phloem fibres - they are commercially useful as they possess great pliability and tensile strength.

Phloem parenchyma – also known as transfer cells, they are found near the finest branches, ends of sieve tubes in leaf veinlets, functional here in conveying food.