THE SECRETORY CYCLE OF DIONAEA MUSCIPULA ELLIS. V. THE ABSORPTION OF NUTRIENTS

Abstract

The absorption pathway is studied, using chloride ion as a marker, in relation to the ultrastructure of the gland. The relative importance of the symplast and apoplast as pathways of absorption is considered and it is suggested that the former is the primary route for metabolites moving into the leaf. Quantitative ultrastructural evidence is presented to support this. It is shown that the labyrinthine walls have a highly polar distribution and it is proposed that this is partially concerned with absorption, but has a more important role in the excretion of water. A model is proposed to explain bi‐directional flow within the gland. Copyright © 1980, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved