Epidermal focussing and the light microenvironment within leaves of Medicago sativa

The light microenvironment within leaves of Medicago sativa L. cv. Armor was related to the anatomy of the epidermis. Leaf epidermal cells had a convex shape and appeared to act as lenses that focussed light within the upper region of the palisade. In leaves irradiated with collimated light, epidermal focussing was demonstrated by ray tracing, photomicrography and fiber optic probe measurements, where lens signatures were observed. No relationship was observed between the location of focal spots within the palisade and chloroplast positioning. Epidermal focussing could be largely eliminated by irradiating leaves with diffuse light or by coating their surface with a thin layer of mineral oil that closely matched the refractive index of the cell walls. Measurement of variable chlorophyll fluorescence after elimination of epidermal focussing on the adaxial leaf surface caused a 19 and 11% decrease in the initial fluorescence level (F₀) and maximum fluorescence (F_max), respectively, whereas similar measurements from the abaxial surface were twice as large. These results suggest that some of the chloroplasts within the leaf may be adapted to local high-light conditions created by the epidermis.     

Ontogenetic differences in mesophyll structure and chlorophyll distribution in Eucalyptus globulus ssp. globulus

Mesophyll structure has been associated with the photosynthetic performance of leaves via the regulation of internal light and CO(2) profiles. Differences in mesophyll structure and chlorophyll distribution within three ontogenetically different leaf types of Eucalyptus globulus ssp. globulus were investigated. Juvenile leaves are blue-grey in color, dorsiventral (adaxial palisade layer only), hypostomatous, and approximately horizontal in orientation. In contrast, adult leaves are dark green in color, isobilateral (adaxial and abaxial palisade), amphistomatous, and nearly vertical in orientation. The transitional leaf type has structural features that appear intermediate between the juvenile and adult leaves. The ratio of mesophyll cell surface area per unit leaf surface area (A(mes)/A) of juvenile leaves was maximum at the base of a single, adaxial palisade layer and declined through the spongy mesophyll. Chlorophyll a + b content showed a coincident pattern, while the chlorophyll a:b ratio declined linearly from the adaxial to abaxial epidermis. In comparison, the mesophyll of adult leaves had a bimodal distribution of A(mes)/A, with maxima occurring beneath both the adaxial and abaxial surfaces within the first layer of multiple palisade layers. The distribution of chlorophyll a + b content had a similar pattern, although the maximum ratio of chlorophyll a:b occurred immediately beneath the adaxial and abaxial epidermis. The matching distributions of A(mes)/A and chlorophyll provide further evidence that mesophyll structure may act to influence photosynthetic performance. These changes in internal leaf structure at different life stages of E. globulus may be an adaptation for increased xeromorphy under increasing light exposure experienced from the seedling to adult tree, similar to the characteristics reported for different species according to sunlight exposure and water availability within their native habitats.     

Leaf anatomy of the subtribe Hyptidinae (Labiatae)

The leaf anatomy of the subtribe Hyptidinae (Labiatae), which consists of four small genera and the largr genus Hyplis , is dercribed. The leaves may be dorsiventral or isobilateral. Variable characters of the lainina include: frequency and forms of trichomes, cuticular markings, presence of adaxial stoinata, thickness of leaf, thickness of adaxial epidermis, presence of a hypodermis, occurrence of sclcrified tissues (especially sclerified bundle sheath extensions, phloem and xylem fibres), mesophyll structure and venation pattern. Petiole vasculature varies from simple to complex, sometimes with medullary traces present. Most of the variable characters are related to xeromorphy and are tax-onomically useful within the framework of the present classification.     

Expression of a mutant maize gene in the ventral leaf epidermis is sufficient to signal a switch of the leaf's dorsoventral axis

Maize leaves are initiated from the shoot apex with an inherent leaf dorsoventral polarity; the leaf surface closest to the meristem is the adaxial (upper, dorsal) surface whereas the opposite leaf surface is the abaxial (lower, ventral) surface. The Rolled leaf1 (Rld1) semi-dominant maize mutations affect dorsoventral patterning by causing adaxialization of abaxial leaf regions. This adaxialization is sometimes associated with abaxialization of the adaxial leaf regions, which constitutes a "switch". Dosage analysis indicates Rld1 mutants are antimorphs. We mapped Rld1's action to a single cell layer using a mosaic analysis and show Rld1 acts non cell-autonomously along the dorsoventral axis. The presence of Rld1 mutant product in the abaxial epidermis is necessary and sufficient to induce the Rolled leaf1 phenotype within the lower epidermis as well as in other leaf layers along the dorsoventral axis. These results support a model for the involvement of wild-type RLD1 in the maintenance of dorsoventral features of the leaf. In addition, they demonstrate the abaxial epidermis sends/receives a cell fate determining signal to/from the adaxial epidermis and controls the dorsoventral patterning of the maize leaf.     

紫竹梅、吊竹梅和鸭跖草气孔分布与比较

用无色指甲油印痕法对鸭跖草科的紫竹梅、吊竹梅和鸭跖草的幼茎、成熟茎、成熟叶鞘的外表皮和幼叶、成熟叶和上、下表皮的气孔分布进行观察。并借助于计算机对三种植物的各器官各部分的气孔分布进行差异性检验和总体比较。结果表明 :三种植物的幼茎、成熟茎和成熟叶鞘外表皮的上部、中部、基部的气孔分布均无显著性差异 ,而幼叶和成熟叶的上、中、下部的气孔分布存在着显著性差异或极显著差异。三种植物的总体比较 ,只有幼茎无显著性差异。同科不同属的三种植物不同器官的气孔分布存在差异与其遗传和生境条件有关。在植物不同的器官中 ,叶表面的气孔分布特征可以作为植物分类的佐证。     

Leaf Anatomy of Fourteen Species in Carex Subgenus Indocarex (Cyperaceae)

Among the subgenera of the genus Carex, the subgenus Indocarex has been seldom studied in any respects, Its systematic position and its subdivision are still disputable. Leaf anatomy of 14 species in the subgenus lndocarex from China was studied. The anatomical characters are proved to be systematically valuable. (1) Characters of lamina transverse section: All leaves of these 14 species are dorsiventral. The outline mostly V-shaped, occasionally flat or nearly flat, with adaxial lateral rib in each half of lamina and some of them flanged. The cells of adaxial surface larger than those of abaxial surface, and the epidermal cells over veins usually smaller than others. Air-cavities between vascular bundles are well developed, and bulliform cells also well developed in most taxa. The vascular bundles are collaterai, bundle sheaths double-layered, and the outer sheath parenchymatous and the inner sheath fibrous. (2) Characters of lamina epidermis: The shape of the cell on both surfaces is generally rectangular, and the anticlinal wall of epidermal cell sinuous; stomata is paracytic, elliptic to oblong, rarely sub-circular; prickles occur on adaxial surfaces of certain species; papillae are only obvious on abaxial surface of C. moupinensis Franch. The characters of transverse section and epidermis of leaf blades of these 14 species differ from each other to certain degree, and closely related species are similar in anatomical characters. The anatomical characters of lamina are of value for classification at specific and sectional level of the subgenus Indocarex. Despite of the variation of these characters among species, a certain num ber of characters appears to be shared by the members of the subgenus, and some of the common characters are primitive. In addition, some gross morphological characters are common and primitive also. Therefore, the subgenus Indocarex may be primitive in the genus Carex. The anatomical and morphological characters of C. scaposa C. B. Clakre and C. densifimbriata Tang et Wang ex S. Y. Liang are distinct. The two species and their allies should be treated as section instead of subsection. The three species in the sectionPolystachyae share some anatomical characters and comprise a coherent group.     

苔草属复序苔草亚属十四种植物叶片的解剖学研究

选择中国复序苔草亚属6组4亚组的代表植物14种,进行了叶片解剖学研究,观察了其横切面 和表皮特征,证明上述特征在各类群之间存在差异,具有一定的系统学意义。这14种植物叶片的横切 面和表皮都具有一些原始的性状,表明复序苔草亚属中的植物可能在苔草属中是较原始的。在所观察 的植物中,Sect．Polystachyae植物叶片解剖学特征比较一致,说明此组的建立比较合理;而Sect．Indicae 组已有明显分化,尤其是Carex scaposa C．B．Clarke和C．densifimbriata Tang et S．Y．Liang 与其它植物明显不同,而且其外部形态特征在复序苔草亚属中也比较独特,因此赞成将它们及其近缘类群做为一个组而非亚组。     

Morphological and Anatomical Observations of Clasping Leaves of Tamarix L.

This paper deals with some morphological and anatomical adaptabilities of clasping leaves of 13 species of Tamarix L. in China. These xeromorphic leaves posses some conspicuous characteristics as follows: 1 ) The ratio of the leaf surface area to its volume is low; 2) The numerous, small stomata are deeply sinked in the surface of the epidermis; 3) The palisade tissue is only found in the abaxial part and the spongy tissue in the adaxial part, which are quite different from most of the dorsivcntral leaves; 4) The upper epidermis of these leaves is extended a different degree into the epidermis of stem. These characteristics may be considered as an expression of xeric habits resulting from desert adaption.     

紫竹梅、吊竹梅和鸭跖草气孔分布与比较

用无色指甲油印痕法对鸭跖草科的紫竹梅、吊竹梅和鸭跖草的幼茎、成熟茎、成熟叶鞘的外表皮和幼叶、成熟叶和上、下表皮的气孔分布进行观察。并借助于计算机对三种植物的各器官各部分的气孔分布进行差异性检验和总体比较。结果表明：三种植物的幼茎、成熟茎和成熟叶鞘外表皮的上部、中部、基部的气孔分布均无显著性差异,而幼叶和成熟叶的上、中、下部的气孔分布存在着显著性差异或极显著差异。三种植物的总体比较,只有幼茎无显著性差异。同科不同属的三种植物不同器官的气孔分布存在差异与其遗传和生境条件有关。在植物不同的器官中,叶表面的气孔分布特征可以作为植物分类的佐证。     

Protection by the epidermis of photosynthesis against UV-C radiation estimated by chorophyll a fluorescence

The epidermis of Argenteum mutant of Pisum sativum L. and Vicia faba L. was shown to be effective in protecting mesophyll photosynthesis from UV-C irradiation (peak 254 nm; 1.5 W m⁻²). These plants were chosen because it is easy to peel the epidermis from both sides of the leaf in Argenteum and the abaxial side in Vicia . Chlorophyll a fluorescence induction was decreased to the same extent by UV-C radiation in both leaf sides when the epidermis was removed. The fluorescence from the leaf with the epidermis inact was not affected. With irradiation of leaves with higher intensity (3.4 W m⁻²) of UV-C, the variable fluorescence was decreased by UV-C impinging on the abaxial side, but not the adaxial side in either of the plant species. A methanol extract from the mutant Pisum epidermis had a high absorbance in the UV region, and the absorbance was more than two-fold larger in adaxial epidermis than in abaxial epidermis. These results indicate that the epidermal layer, which contains substances that have high UV absorbance, protects mesophyll photosynthesis against UV radiation.     

Ficus rubiginosa 'variegata', a chlorophyll-deficient chimera with mosaic patterns created by cell divisions from the outer meristematic layer

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Sections leaves of Ficus rubiginosa 'Variegata' show that it is a chimera with a chlorophyll deficiency in the second layer of the leaf meristem (GWG structure). Like other Ficus species, it has a multiseriate epidermis on the adaxial and abaxial sides of the leaf, formed by periclinal cell divisions as well as anticlinal divisions. The upper and lower laminae of the leaf often exhibit small dark and light green patches of tissue overlying internal leaf tissue. METHODS: The distribution of chlorophyll in transverse sections of typical leaves was determined by fluorescence microscopy. KEY RESULTS: Patches of dark and light green tissue which arise in the otherwise colourless palisade and spongy mesophyll tissue in the entire leaf are due to further cell divisions arising from the bundle sheath which is associated with major vascular bundles or from the green multiseriate epidermis. Leaves produced in winter exhibit more patches of green tissue than leaves which expand in mid-summer. Many leaves produced in summer have no spotting and appear like a typical GWG chimera. There is a strong relationship between the number of patches on the adaxial side of leaves and the number on the abaxial side, showing that the cell division in upper and lower layers of leaves is strongly coordinated. In both winter and summer, there are fewer patches on the abaxial side of leaves compared with the adaxial side, indicating that periclinal and anticlinal cell divisions from the outer meristematic layer are less frequent in the lower layers of leaf tissue. Most of the patches are small (<1 mm in longest dimension) and thus the cell divisions which form them occur late in leaf development. Leaves which exhibit large patches generally have them on both sides of the leaves. CONCLUSION: In this cultivar, the outer meristematic layer appears to form vascular bundle sheaths and associated internal leaf tissue in the entire leaf lamina.     

Leaf anatomy of the Pittosporaceae R. Br.

WILKINSON, H. P., 1992. Leaf anatomy of the Pittosporaceae R. Br. An anatomical study of the leaves of 58 species representing all nine genera has been made. The anatomical characters found to be of most use in distinguishing taxa are: in surface view-cuticular architecture as seen with the SEM, stomatal outline, occasionally stomatal density, presence/absence of hairs, hair type in adult leaves; in transverse section-petiole/midrib outline, midrib number of vascular bundles and number of secretory ducts, adaxial epidermis in 1/2 layers, dimensions of adaxial epidermal cells, thickness of outer wall of adaxial epidermis, occasionally chlorenchyma interrupted/not interrupted above the midrib vascular tissue in Pittosporum species; leaf margin.     

MORPHOLOGY,SEASONAL VARIATION,AND FUNCTION OF RESIN GLANDS ON BUDS AND LEAVES OF POPULUS DELTOIDES (SALICACEAE)

When buds form in summer or early fall, modified stipules act as bud scales and their adaxial epidermis secretes a resin that fills the bud. This secretory layer collapses in the dormant bud. Immature leaves, stipules, and leaf primordia occupy the center of the bud; all lack functional resin glands. In spring, stipules of emerging leaves develop an adaxial palisadelike secretory epidermis that becomes more ridged longitudinally in successive stipules. Marginal teeth of the first leaves to emerge are covered with trichomes and lack a secretory epidermis. In successive leaves the teeth become glandular and secrete resin as the lamina unrolls. Later in the season, marginal leaf glands account for much of the resin. Unspecialized hydathodes or extrafloral nectaries occur proximal to each glandular tip. Guttation of water or nectar occurs here through stomata located above a vein ending. On the basis of field observations and a laboratory feeding experiment, the resin seems to function mainly as an insect repellent. It may also reduce water loss from young leaves.     

叶子花表皮特征的研究及意义

对叶子花（Bougainvillea spectabilis）正常叶和变态叶上气孔密度、气孔指数和保卫细胞大小进行了研究。结果表明：正常叶上表皮的表皮细胞为多边形,垂周壁平直;下表皮的表皮细胞为不规则型,垂周壁浅波状;气孔类型为不规则型。变态叶上表皮没有发现气孔,变态叶下表皮的表皮细胞垂周壁则由浅波形逐渐变为深波形,气孔类型为不规则型和轮列型。随着变态叶的发育,变态叶下表皮的气孔密度降低,气孔指数升高;变态叶保卫细胞的长增大,宽减小。变态叶的平均气孔密度和平均气孔指数明显低于正常叶。正常叶和变态叶的保卫细胞均呈肾形。     

Physical features of grass leaves influence the placement of eggs within the plant by the Hessian fly

Hessian fly eggs are more likely to be found on adaxial rather than abaxial surfaces of wheat leaves. These leaf surfaces differ in their physical features: the adaxial side of the leaf has parallel grooves and ridges while the abaxial side is relatively smooth. We used leaf models to investigate the relationship between Hessian fly egglaying and these physical features. When both sides of a green paper leaf model were treated with a wheat leaf extract, but only one side of the model was scored with parallel grooves, the grooved side received more eggs than the smooth side. As the number of grooves per surface increased from 0 to 10, eggs per model increased. When grooves and the wheat leaf extract were tested together and separately, the grooves significantly increased egg numbers in the presence, but not the absence, of wheat extract. In contrast, wheat extract increased egg numbers both in the absence and presence of grooves. Molding techniques were used to recreate the physical features of the adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces of five grasses. For four of the grass genotypes (a triticale, two common wheats, and a durum wheat), patterns of egglaying on real leaves and molded models were similar, i.e., adaxial leaf surfaces and adaxial molded models were preferred over abaxial leaf surfaces and abaxial models. On the fifth grass, oat, preferences for the adaxial side of real leaves and for adaxial models were not as obvious. We conclude that the adult female Hessian fly obtains information about the leaf surface through her tactile and/or kinesthetic senses and uses this information when making egglaying decisions.     

中国29种和泰国1种卷柏科植物的叶形态学研究及其分类学意义

利用光学显微镜和体视显微镜对卷柏科Selaginellaceae中国产29种和泰国产1种植物的叶形态进行了宏观和微观观察。结果表明卷柏科植物在叶形态学方面表现出较高的一致性。(1)叶多为二形, 罕为一形, 无叶柄, 叶二形者侧叶多大于中叶, 外展或斜上, 中叶贴生于腹面茎上, 交互覆瓦状排成4列, 叶一形者则在茎上作螺旋状排列。(2)侧叶与中叶上表皮细胞形态相似, 近等径方形或长方形, 垂周壁平直、弓形或波状; 侧叶与中叶下表皮细胞形态也相似, 长方形或长条形, 垂周壁波状。(3)气孔类型为无规则型或放射型, 气孔多分布于中叶上表皮和侧叶下表皮中脉处。研究发现, 叶外形、叶表皮细胞形态及气孔分布特征等为中国卷柏科植物种间分类提供了重要的参考依据。 研究的有关种类可以依据下面这些特征进行分类: (1)叶为一形叶或二形; (2)叶在枝上着生为螺旋状或成对交互排列; (3)叶表皮细胞垂周壁为平直、弓形、深波状或浅波状; (4)叶上、下表皮细胞同形或异形; (5)气孔为无规则型或放射型; 以及(6)气孔在中叶和侧叶的上、下表皮上的分布等特征。     

Diffusive conductances of adaxial and abaxial epidermes: Response to photon flux density during development of water stress in primary bean leaves

Maximum diffusive conductance of abaxial epidermis of primary bean leaves was considerably higher than that of adaxial epidermis. While conductances of both epidermes responded parallel to a decrease in leaf water potential (they increased slightly, reached maxima and decreased to very low values), differences in their response to photon flux density were found. The conductance of abaxial epidermis increased rapidly over lower photon flux densities and gradually over higher photon flux densities, on the other hand the conductance of adaxial epidermis increased only gradually over the whole range. The observed parallel or different response of adaxial and abaxial epidermes to leaf water potential or photon flux density did not change with changes in experimental conditions.     

胡杨雌雄株叶片的比较解剖学研究

应用石蜡切片法对胡杨(Populus euphratica Oliv.)雌、雄株叶片进行比较解剖研究,结果表明:(1)胡杨雌、雄株叶片都由表皮、叶肉与叶脉构成,表皮由2层细胞构成复表皮;上、下表皮内均分化出了2～3层栅栏组织细胞,栅栏组织之间有少量海绵组织细胞;主脉维管束通常1个,由木质部、韧皮部、少量形成层及类似禾本...     

The use of chlorophyll fluorescence excitation spectra for the non-destructive in situ assessment of UV-absorbing compounds in leaves

In this study a method was designed to assess non‐destructively the type of UV‐screening compounds present in the leaf epidermis. The method is based on the recording and calculation of the ratio of UV‐excitation spectra of chlorophyll fluorescence (FER) from the adaxial and abaxial sides of bifacial leaves, or from older and younger segments of monocotyledonous leaves. The logarithm of this ratio (logFER) matched the absorption spectrum of the UV‐absorbers present in the leaf, as confirmed by its overlap with the absorption spectrum of the methanolic extract of the leaf or of the isolated epidermis. By using the logFER approach, it was possible to demonstrate that the concentration but not the classes of compounds present in the epidermis that are responsible for UV‐screening is affected by the side and the age of the leaves. In contrast, measurements from the leaves of seven dicots and one monocot indicated large difference in the classes of these compounds between species. Finally, it was shown that the logFER in the UV is independent of the emission wavelength, and that the method can be used for quantitative measurements. This method expands to the spectral domain the use of ChlF for the estimation of the leaf epidermal transmittance.     

中国梅花草属植物的叶表皮特征及其系统学意义

利用光学显微镜和扫描电镜对梅花草属Parnassia 30种植物的叶表皮进行了观察。结果表明:气孔器普遍存在于叶的下表皮,少数种的上表皮也有分布,均为无规则型。叶表皮细胞形状为多边形或不规则形;垂周壁式样可区分为近平直、浅波状和波状。在扫描电镜下,叶表皮气孔器外拱盖内缘为近平滑、浅波状或波状;一些种的保卫细胞两端有加厚;角质膜条纹状,有的条纹隆起,有的条纹上附有颗粒或小孔穴。气孔器类型及下表皮细胞形状的一致性表明梅花草属是一个自然分类群;sect. Saxifragastrum叶表皮特征具有多样性显示该组可能是一个复合群;突隔梅花草P. delavayi属于subsect. Xiphosandra,其气孔下陷,与其细胞学特征相似,支持独立为一组;此外,气孔器的分布、保卫细胞两端加厚、气孔器外拱盖内缘形态以及角质膜等特征对该属部分种的区分有一定的参考价值。