In plants, parenchyma refers to a specific type of ground tissue with thin cell walls and the ability to grow and divide. It is found in the soft parts of the plants such as cortex of roots, ground tissue in stems & mesophyll of leaves. It is also distributed in the pith , medullary rays & packing tissue in xylem and phloem. It makes up most of the cells within leaves, flowers, and fruits. they function in storage, photosynthesis, and as the bulk of ground and vascular tissues.