what is lenticels

A lenticel is a porous tissue found in the periderm of secondarily thickened organs, such as the bark of woody stems and roots of gymnosperms and dicotyledonous flowering plants. It consists of cells with large intercellular spaces and functions as a pore, providing a pathway for the direct exchange of gases between the internal tissues and the atmosphere through the bark, which is otherwise impermeable to gases. Lenticels permit the exchange of gases between the environment and the internal tissue spaces of the organs, such as stems and some fruits. They are visible on the surface of a stem as raised circular, oval, or elongated areas, and their shape is one of the characteristics used for tree identification. Lenticels are essential for the respiration of woody plants, as they facilitate the exchange of gases, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, between the internal tissues and the external environment.