Soft rush stem. Light micrograph of a section through the stem of a soft rush (Juncus effusus) plant, showing stellate cells. The stem has scattered vascular bundles suspended by stellate dead cells (orange). There is an outer ring of solid supporting tissue (epidermis) with a thick cuticle. Within this, the cortex contains spongy mesophyll with chloroplasts with vascular bundles in between. The oval vascular bundles have supporting fibres (red) surrounding the outside. Facing the outside of the stem is the circular phloem (green), and on the inner side the larger xylem vessels (red). The tissue was stained with Acridine-red, Acriflavine and Aniline-blue. Magnification: x100 when printed 10 centimetres wide.