primary phloem metaphloem A portion of primary phloem (PO:0006075) tissue that has as parts companion cells (PO:0000071, in angiosperms) or albuminous cells (PO:0025412, in gymnosperms) associated with the sieve elements (PO:0025406) and that develops after the protophloem (PO:0006077). Metaphloem develops after a portion of vascular tissue (PO:0009015) has stopped elongating, in the same location as the protophloem, replacing the protophloem. Sieve elements in the metaphloem are larger than in the protophloem. Develops before the secondary phloem, if any is formed. OBO_SF3_PO:433 PO:0006076 metafloema (Spanish, exact) plant_anatomy portion of metaphloem tissue (exact) 後生師部 (Japanese, exact)