Name five economically important plant fibres derived from sclerenchyma . Why they differ in softness and durability ?

Explanation

Five plant fibres. Cotton, coconut , jute, flax and hemp.
In cotton, the fibres are obtained from epidermis of seed. In coconut, the fibres (sclerenchymatous coir) are obtained from husk (mesocarp) of the fruit. Jute, flax and hemp are obtained from stems, being bast or phloem fibres.
Plant fibres differ in their hardness and strength . Hardness is due to excessive deposition of lignin to the cell wall as in coconut and jute. Because of it, they are prone to degeneration on wetting . Coconut fibres are used in the preparation of mats and ropes while jute fibres are used in preparing gunny bags (sacks) and ropes. Flax yield high quality cloth called linen which is used in preparing durable clothing . Fibres which are obtained from the stems of hemp plants are used in manufacture of rope and coarse cloth.