ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Mucilage

Mucilage is a gooey liquid that can be found in some plants. It's like a thick and slimy juice that plants use to help them survive. You know how when you eat a piece of candy and it gets stuck to your teeth? That's kind of like what mucilage does for plants.

When a plant is low on water, the mucilage helps to keep the moisture close to the roots. This way, the plant can absorb the water it needs to grow and stay healthy. Mucilage can also help plants to store water in dry environments, like a desert.

Some seeds also produce mucilage that helps them to stick to things. This can be helpful when the wind blows the seeds away from the plant, as the sticky mucilage helps the seeds to stay in one place until they can grow into a new plant.

Some people even use mucilage for its medicinal properties! It can be used to soothe a sore throat or an upset stomach.

So, in summary, mucilage is a slimy liquid that can be found in some plants. It helps plants survive in dry environments and can be useful for humans too.
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