EPIDERMIS AND EPICUTICULAR WAXES OF SYAGRUS-CORONATA LEAFLETS

The outer epidermal cell walls of the leaf blade of the licuri palm tr ee were studied by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, with special attention to the epicu ticular waxes. On the intensely green adaxial surface, the wax adheres in the form of a smooth, flexible, varnish-like layer. On the pruinos e, dull, greenish or bluish abaxial side, the wax appears as a thin am orphous layer from which rodlets and columns protrude. Very curved rod lets, in compact rows, border each stoma, sometimes almost completely closing its aperture. Numerous pores, not resolvable with the light mi croscope, were detected in both cuticular membranes. Comments are pres ented concerning the possible functions of several configurations of e picuticular waxes.