Laticifers in vascular cambium and wood of croton spp. (Euphorbiaceae)

Abstract

Laticifers are recorded both penetrating from primary tissues into the vascular cambium and secondary xylem, and traversing the secondary xylem in young stems of various Croton spp. These observations are unique for Euphorbiaceae, and highly unusual in other families. They indicate that laticifers in some instances enter the secondary xylem from the cortex, and in others become enveloped in secondary xylem following secondary meristematic activity by the vascular cambium.