Infra-Specific Variation in Wax on Leaf Surfaces

Abstract

The structure of the surfaCe wax on green and glaucous variants in Eucalyptus urnigera, Poa colensoi (natural cline forms), Pisum sativum, and BraBsica oleracea (mutants) are described as seen under the electron microscope. Preliminary chemical data are also given. The green forms always possess wax deposits which are either smooth films on the cuticle or consist predominantly of platelets which lie flat on the cuticular surface. In some cases the platelets tend to be arranged in parallel groups. In the glaucous variants, the wax consists predominantly of rods or filaments growing outwards from the leaf surface and presenting many light-scattering surfaces.