Botany online 1996-2004. No further update, only historical document of botanical science!


Scanning Electron Microscopic Images of Epidermis Cells


To the left: Association of epidermal cells at the flower surface of a daisy (Bellis perennis). The photo shows a detail of the ligulate floret's surface. The elongated cells are covered by a cuticle with a parallely convoluted pattern. To the right: Isodiametrical epidermis cells with straight anticlinal walls and an enclosed oxalate grain in the seed coat of a wood sorrel species (Oxalis cornicalata).


Below, to the left: Isodiametric cell of the seed coat of a Campion (Viscaria vulgaris) with a strong, zigzag interlink of the anticlinal walls. These interlinks increase the mechanical stability of the epidermis. Below, to the right: Slipping down zone of a pitcher plant (Cephalotus follicularis), a carnivore plant. Modified papilla cells pointing downwards with additional cuticular strips that cause the slipping down of the prey into the pitcher (N. EHLER, R. SCHILL, W. BARTHLOTT, 1973, W. BARTHLOTT, 1981)



Peter v. Sengbusch - b-online@botanik.uni-hamburg.de