Potato starch. Coloured scanning electron micrograph of starch grains (mauve) in the cells of a potato, Solanum tuberosum. The stored starch grains are called amyloplasts. Starch is synthesised from sucrose, a sugar formed in the leaves during photosynthesis and transported to the tuber (potato) via the phloem (vascular tissue). It is used as a store of energy for the later development of buds on the surface of the potato. Starch grains found in potato cells are larger than those found in most plant cells. Magnification: x640 at 5x7cm size. x1680 at 8x6d"