Studies on the Ultrastructure and Histochemistry of Plant Cuticles: Isolated Cuticular Membrane Preparations of Agave americana L. and the Effects of Various Extraction Procedures

The cuticular membrane (CM) of Agave americana with the adheringcellin wall was isolated with ammonium oxalate-oxalic acid solution,air-dried and dry-embedded without fixation. After KMnO₄ staining,electron translucent lamellae are visible in the cuticle properand cuticular layer. The fine structure of the opaque lamellaein the cuticle proper is more complex than previously observedin situ. It is more clearly observed in CM isolated at 40 °Cthan in those isolated at 100 °C, or in air-dried tissue,subsequently remoistened, fixed and dehydrated in acetone. Although extraction of CM with hot organic solvents removessubstantial quantities of wax (mainly long chain alcohols andfatty acids), not all of the electron-lucent lamellae disappearcompletely. Strong sulphuric acid dissolves the cellin wallsadhering to the CM and strongly diminishes the iodine/potassiumiodide-sulphuric acid-silver proteinate staining reactivityof the CM, probably due to the marked reduction in epoxide contentof the cutin. The acid does not completely remove the carbohydratereticulum included in the cuticular layer. In sodium methoxide solution the CM is decutinized from thecellin wall side where the carbohydrate fibrillae included inthe interior cuticular layer become completely exposed. On theoutside, the lamellate cuticle proper is also lost. Major cutinmonomers solubilized are 9, 10-epoxy-18-hydroxyoctadecanoicand 9, 10, 18-trihy-droxyoctadecanoic acids. Partial decutinizationof the CM with methanolic HC1 produces similar but less drasticeffects than methoxide apparently because the outer surfaceis protected by an artificial layer of lipids originating fromdepolymerized cutin. Agave americana, leaf, cuticular membrane, isolation of cuticular membranes, ultrahistochemistry, cutin, wax, epoxide groups in biopolymers     

Periclinal penetration of potassium permanganate into mature cuticular membranes ofAgave andClivia leaves: new implications for plant cuticle development

Staining cuticular membranes ofAgave americana andClivia miniata en bloc with potassium permanganate results in a strong contrast in the interior cuticular layer while the exterior part remains unstained. This is not caused by a selective chemical reaction with the interior part but by the unidirectional penetration of the reagent from the interior side, the outside being protected by the cuticle proper. In transverse cryosections of the cuticular membrane, permanganate penetrates nearly as easily into the exterior cuticular layer as into the interior one giving the same contrast. However, compared with the periclinal penetration into the cuticle proper this penetration is accelerated five-to tenfold by the polysaccharide network within the cuticular layer which serves as a distribution-channel system. Periclinal penetration into the cuticle proper occurs independently in each cutin penetration unit included between two obvious lucent lamellae and further divided into subunits.     

Fine structure of plant cuticles in relation to water permeability: The fine structure of the cuticle of Clivia miniata reg. leaves

The fine structure of the upper cuticular membrane (CM) of Clivia miniata leaves was investigated using electron microscopy. The CM is made up of a thin (130 nm) lamellated cuticle proper (CP) and a thick (up to 7 m over periclinal walls) cuticular layer (CL) of marbled appearance. Evidence is presented to show that the electron lucent lamellae of the CP do not simply represent layers of soluble cuticular lipids (SCL). Instead, the lamellation is probably due to layers of cutin differing in polarity. It is argued that the SCL in the Cp are the main barrier to water. Thickening of the CM during leaf development takes place by interposition of cutin between the CM and the cellin wall. The cutin of young, expanding leaves has a high affinity for KMnO₄ and is therefore relatively polar. As leaves mature, the external CL underneath the CP becomes non-polar, as only little contrast can be obtained with permanganate as the post fixative.Abbreviations CM cuticular membrane - CP cuticle proper - CL cuticular layer - SCL soluble cuticular lipids (cuticular waxes)     

Cuticular Membrane Fine Structure of Nicotiana tabacum L. Leaves

The cuticular membrane (CM) ofNicotiana tabacumL., includingthe cellin wall (CW), was examined to gain more informationabout the nature and chemical constitution of its fine structurefor possible inclusion in a model system, as recent literaturequestions its function as a major water permeability barrier.Different preparation techniques were used and the results evaluatedto select a method for future studies on tobacco leaf cuticles.Fixation with OsO₄included in the primary fixative, either asa vapour or in combination with other agents, followed by OsO₄aspost-fixative, gave good contrast of the CM. The lamellar structureof the tobacco cuticle proper (CP) was revealed by contrastingwith uranyl acetate and lead citrate. The fine lamellar structureof the CP was very clearly contrasted when KMnO₄was includedin the primary fixative. This was interpreted as indicatingthe tobacco CP to be polar. The reticulate fibrillar patternof the tobacco cuticular layer (CL) containing polysaccharideswas well contrasted when either OsO₄or paraformaldehyde wereincluded in the primary fixative. Cold fixation with glutaraldehydeand dimethyl sulphoxide and post-fixation with OsO₄revealedelectron-opaque material in the outer cutinized, irregularlyoutlined, region of the CW. These ultrahistochemical reactionsare discussed in relation to the known chemical compositionand possible water permeability of the CM. Cuticular fine structure; cuticular transpiration; Nicotiana tabacumL.     

Development of plant cuticles: fine structure and cutin composition of Clivia miniata Reg. leaves

The fine structure and monomeric composition of the ester-cutin fraction (susceptible to BF₃/CH₃OH transesterification) of the adaxial leaf cuticle of Clivia miniata Reg. were studied in relation to leaf and cuticle development. Clivia leaves grow at their base such that cuticle and tissues increase in age from the base to the tip. The zone of maximum growth (cell expansion) was located between 1 and 4 cm from the base. During cell expansion, the projected surface area of the upper epidermal cells increased by a factor of nine. In the growth region the cuticle consists mainly of a polylamellate cuticle proper of 100–250 nm thickness. After cell expansion has ceased both the outer epidermal wall and the cuticle increase in thickness. Thickening of the cuticle is accomplished by interposition of a cuticular layer between the cuticle proper and the cell wall. The cuticular layer exhibits a reticulate fine structure and contributes most of the total mass of the cuticle at positions above 6 cm from the leaf base. The composition of ester cutin changed with the age of cuticles. In depolymerisates from young cuticles, 26 different monomers could be detected whereas in older ones their number decreased to 13. At all developmental stages, 9,16-/10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid (positional isomers not separated), 18-hydroxy-9-octadecenoic acid, 9,10,18-trihydroxyoctadecanoic acid and 9,10-epoxy-18-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid were most frequent with the epoxy alkanoic acid clearly predominating (47% at 16 cm). The results are discussed as to (i) the age dependence of cutin composition, (ii) the relationship between fine structure and composition, (iii) the composition of the cuticle proper, the cuticular layer and the non-depolymerizable cutin fraction, and (iv) the polymeric structure of cutin.Abbreviations CL cuticular layer - CP cuticle proper - MX cutin polymer matrix     

Development of the crystalliferous cuticle of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (A. Murr.) Pari. (Gupressaceae)

A developmental study of the cuticle has shown that it consists of a homogeneous cuticle proper apposed on the wall and a heterogeneous cuticular layer generated by intussusception of cutin into the wall. At an early stage, the adcrusted cuticle proper is underlain by a ruthenium red-positive layer in which the cuticular layer originates. The origin of the anticlinal flange is referable to an electron-dense, ruthenium red-positive ridge which arises above the anticlinal wall and which also becomes cutinized. At leaf maturity, the inner surface of the cuticular layer, including that of the flange, forms interdigitating protuberances with the cell wall.
Development of the cuticle coincides with deposition of crystals of calcium oxalate in the epidermal cell wall. Initiation of large, early-formed crystals is associated with electron-opaque membranous structures formed close and parallel to the plasmalemma in the young cell wall. Crystals undergo periclinal and anticlinal growth and subsequently become engulfed within the cuticle by development of the cuticular layer. Cutin/polysaccharide interaction during development and the significance of crystal deposition are discussed.     

The development of the grape berry cuticle in relation to susceptibility to bunch rot disease

Some physical and morphological factors of grape berry cuticlewere investigated at different developmental stages of threeclones ofVitis vinifera cv. Pinot noir. The surface morphologyof grape berries was examined by scanning electron microscopyand cuticle anatomy was examined by light and transmission electronmicroscopy. During the period from flowering to maturity, thecomposition of the cuticular waxes changed, corresponding withan increase of waxy deposits and significant modifications ofthe wax surface morphology. The content in cutin per unit surfacedecreased more than 2.5-fold between berry set (16 d after anthesis)and veraison of the grape berries, and might predispose thegrape berry to fungal infection. This result was correlatedwith the differentiation of the cuticle layers and particularlywith a decrease in the thickness of the primary cuticle at harvest. Key words: Botrytis cinerea, cuticle, cutin, epicuticular waxes, Vitis vinifera L     

ABC-type transporters and cuticle assembly: Linking function to polarity in epidermis cells

The aerial organs of plants are covered with a cuticle, a continuous layer overlaying the outermost cell walls of the epidermis. The cuticle is composed of two major classes of the lipid biopolymers: cutin and waxes, collectively termed cuticular lipids. Biosynthesis and transport of cuticular lipids occur predominantly in the epidermis cells. In the transport pathway, cuticular lipids are exported from their site of biosynthesis in the ER/plastid to the extracellular space through the plasma membrane and cell wall. Growing evidence suggests that ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are implicated in transport of cuticular lipids across the plasma membrane of epidermal cells. The Arabidopsis ABC-type transporter protein CER5 (WBC12) was reported to act as a wax monomers transporter. In recent works, our group and others showed that a CER5-related protein, DESPERADO (DSO/WBC11), is required for cutin and wax monomers transport through the plasma membrane of Arabidopsis epidermis cells. Unlike the cer5 mutant, DSO loss-of-function had a profound effect on plant growth and development, particularly dwarfism, postgenital organ fusions, and altered epidermal cell differentiation. The partially overlapping function of CER5 and DSO and the fact that these proteins are half-size ABC transporters suggest that they might form a hetero-dimeric complex while transporting wax components. An intriguing observation was the polar localization of DSO in the distal part of epidermis cells. This polar expression might be explained by DSO localization within lipid rafts, specific plasma membrane microdomains which are associated with polar protein expression. In this review we suggest possible mechanisms for cuticular lipids transport and a link between DSO function and polar expression. Furthermore, we also discuss the subsequent transport of cuticular constituents through the hydrophobic cell wall and the possible involvement of lipid transfer proteins in this process.Key words: ABC transporter, cuticular lipids, polar expression, plasma membrane, epidermis     

Fine structural observations on the epidermis

Summary In species of Apium, Eryngium and Humulus, the cuticular membrane of the petiole could be resolved into two parts, of which the inner one appeared amorphous and after staining appeared to be penetrated by an electron-dense reticulum, whereas the outer layer showed a lamellate structure consisting of electron-dense and electron-transparent plates, 50–80 Å in thickness. These layers are considered to correspond with the cuticular layer and the cuticle proper, respectively. In species of Abutilon and Rumex the cuticle proper did not exhibit the lamellate structure. In the leaves of Eryngium the outer lamellated structure was present in the cuticle of both young and mature leaves. Both the lamellate and non-lamellate types of the cuticle proper increased in thickness with age of the specimen. The results are discussed in relation to earlier investigations.     

Arabidopsis LTPG Is a Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-Anchored Lipid Transfer Protein Required for Export of Lipids to the Plant Surface

Plant epidermal cells dedicate more than half of their lipid metabolism to the synthesis of cuticular lipids, which seal and protect the plant shoot. The cuticle is made up of a cutin polymer and waxes, diverse hydrophobic compounds including very-long-chain fatty acids and their derivatives. How such hydrophobic compounds are exported to the cuticle, especially through the hydrophilic plant cell wall, is not known. By performing a reverse genetic screen, we have identified LTPG, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored lipid transfer protein that is highly expressed in the epidermis during cuticle biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana inflorescence stems. Mutant plant lines with decreased LTPG expression had reduced wax load on the stem surface, showing that LTPG is involved either directly or indirectly in cuticular lipid deposition. In vitro 2-p-toluidinonaphthalene-6-sulfonate assays showed that recombinant LTPG has the capacity to bind to this lipid probe. LTPG was primarily localized to the plasma membrane on all faces of stem epidermal cells in the growing regions of inflorescence stems where wax is actively secreted. These data suggest that LTPG may function as a component of the cuticular lipid export machinery.     

A member of the PLEIOTROPIC DRUG RESISTANCE family of ATP binding cassette transporters is required for the formation of a functional cuticle in Arabidopsis

Although the multilayered structure of the plant cuticle was discovered many years ago, the molecular basis of its formation and the functional relevance of the layers are not understood. Here, we present the permeable cuticle1 (pec1) mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana, which displays features associated with a highly permeable cuticle in several organs. In pec1 flowers, typical cutin monomers, such as ω-hydroxylated fatty acids and 10,16-dihydroxypalmitate, are reduced to 40% of wild-type levels and are accompanied by the appearance of lipidic inclusions within the epidermal cell. The cuticular layer of the cell wall, rather than the cuticle proper, is structurally altered in pec1 petals. Therefore, a significant role for the formation of the diffusion barrier in petals can be attributed to this layer. Thus, pec1 defines a new class of mutants. The phenotypes of the pec1 mutant are caused by the knockout of ATP BINDING CASSETTEG32 (ABCG32), an ABC transporter from the PLEIOTROPIC DRUG RESISTANCE family that is localized at the plasma membrane of epidermal cells in a polar manner toward the surface of the organs. Our results suggest that ABCG32 is involved in the formation of the cuticular layer of the cell wall, most likely by exporting particular cutin precursors from the epidermal cell.     

DEVELOPMENT OF THE CUTICULAR LAYERS IN ANGIOSPERM LEAVES

Schieferstein , R. H., and W. E. Loomis . (Iowa State U., Ames.) Development of the cuticular layer in angiosperm leaves. Amer. Jour. Bot. 46(9): 625–635. Illus. 1959.—The cuticularized layers of leaves and other plant surfaces consist of a primary cuticle, formed by the oxidation of oils on exposed cell walls, plus various surface and subsurface wax deposits. The primary cuticle appears to form rapidly on the walls of any living cell which is exposed to air. Surface wax is present on the mature leaves of about half of the 50 or 60 species studied. In general, wax is extruded at random through the newly formed cuticle of young leaves and accumulated in various reticulate to semicrystalline patterns. No wax pores through the cuticle or primary wall can be observed in electron-micrographs of dewaxed mature leaves. Wax accumulations on older leaves are generally subcuticular and may involve the entire epidermal wall. These deposits appear to be of considerably greater ecological significance than those on the surface. Isolated cuticular membranes from Hedera helix increased slightly in permeability to water with age of the leaf, but permeability to 2,4-D decreased 50 times. Evidence based on the patterns of cellulose in primary walls, of surface wax on growing leaves, of the appearance of the cuticle at the margins of growing epidermal cells, of the forms of the cuticle plates digested from growing and older leaves, and of the marginal location of new wax deposits on growing maize leaves is presented to support the thesis that the enlargement of the outer surface of the epidermal cells of leaves occurs at the margins of the surface. Earlier formed cuticle and wax are thus undisturbed during growth. These observations, coupled with evidence for apical growth in fibers, root hairs, etc. suggest that the primary walls of angiosperm cells are formed in specific, localized growth regions, rather than by plastic extension and apposition.     

植物角质层蜡质的化学组成研究综述

角质层是植物与外界的第一接触面,而角质层蜡质则是由位于角质层外的外层蜡质和深嵌在角质层中的内层蜡质两部分构成。植物角质层蜡质成分极其复杂,具有重要的生理功能。综述了有关植物角质层蜡质的化学组成信息,探讨了目前植物角质层蜡质化学成分研究中存在的一些问题,展望了角质层蜡质成分的研究前景。     

Composition and ultrastructure of the suberized cell wall of isolated crystal idioblasts from Agave americana L. leaves

Styloid-calcium-oxalate-crystal-containing idioblasts possess an interior cell-wall layer which has a lamellar ultrastructure. Idioblasts were isolated by centrifugation of an Agave americana leaf homogenate through 2M sucrose. The aliphatic monomers of the polymeric material from an idioblast fraction were primarily -hydroxy acids (32%) and dicarboxylic acids (35%), with C_18:1 dicarboxylic acid being the most dominant monomer (25%). Nitrobenzene oxidation of the idioblasts yielded syringaldehyde and vanillin in a ratio of 0.46:1. The major class of wax associated with the idioblasts was free fatty acids (34%). A major homologue of both the fatty acid and fatty alcohol fractions of this wax was C₂₂. The hydrocarbon fraction of the wax had a broad chainlength distribution with a large amount of even-numbered (47%) and shorter-chain homologues. The ultrastructure, the composition of the aliphatic and aromatic components of the polymeric material as well as the composition of the wax show that the idioblast cell wall is suberized. The wax and cutin polymer of the epidermis of A. americana leaves were chemically characterized for comparative purposes.Scientific paper No. 6115, Project 2001, College of Agriculture Research Center, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA     

The body wall of cheilostome Bryozoa. I. The ectocyst of Watersipora nigra (Canu and Bassler)

The cuticle of Watersipora nigra is at first translucent, but it later becomes black and differentiates into two layers. It is composed, at least in part, of a protein-polysaccharide complex. Calcified parts are three-layered: (1) an outer, cuticular layer, (2) a calcium carbonate skeleton deposited on a matrix of acid mucopolysaccharide, and (3) a “skeletal membrane.” The relationships of these layers indicate that the skeleton is intracuticular. A layer of cuticular material, the “intercalary cuticle” is present in lateral walls, but not transverse walls; it may become calcified in some species. The cuticles of calcified and uncalcified parts of cheilostomes are not necessarily homologous.     

Coordinated development in the fly foot: Sequential cuticle secretion

Development of the adult fly foot falls into clearly defined phases of cell division, growth, cuticle secretion and cell death. The pulvillus is composed dorsally of two giant cells and ventrally of thousands of minute tenent cells; the former produce the dorsal footpad cuticle and the latter the thousands of tenent hairs. Cell divisions are still occurring in future tenent cells when increase in size of the cells and in polyteny of the chromosomes is already occurring in the two dorsal cells. Also cell death occurs considerably earlier in the tenent cells, yet the sequential secretion of some six cuticular layers takes place at comparable times in dorsal and ventral cuticles. The cuticular layers formed are, in their order of secretion: ecdysial membrane, cuticulin of the epicuticle, dense exocuticle, homogeneous exocuticle, an intermediate layer, wax of the epicuticle, and an extensive mass of endocuticle. The ecdysial membrane seems to perform an important mechanical role in maintaining the shape of the delicate cytoplasmic projections of the tenent cells, before and during cuticle secretion, and in establishing the cuticular pattern of ridges in the dorsal cuticle. Comparisons are made with trichogen cell cuticle development and with tracheal cuticle. Tracheal, trichogen and dorsal footpad cuticle patterns are compared. Details of giant cell activity provide a working basis for studies of nuclear-cytoplasmic interactions, and the whole system raises many unsolved problems in the general field of cell differentiation and pattern formation.     

Development of plant cuticles: occurrence and role of non-ester bonds in cutin of Clivia miniata Reg. leaves

The effect of BF₃-methanol treatment on the mass and fine structure of isolated Clivia leaf cuticles at different stages of development has been investigated. BF₃-methanol cleaves ester linkages in cutin; however, the cuticles are not completely depolymerized. With increasing age, the residue left after BF₃-methanol treatment increases in mass. In very young cuticles, 10% of the total cutin resisted BF₃-methanol and the fraction of nonester cutin increased up to 62% in mature leaves. Transmission electron microscopy shows that fine structure of the cuticle proper is severely distorted but not destroyed. The internal cuticular layer, which exhibits a heavy contrast when fixed with KMnO₄, is completely depolymerized, while the external cuticular layer is hardly affected. The results are discussed in relation to cuticle development and to the function of cuticles as transpiration resistances.Abbreviation CP cuticle proper - ECL external cuticular layer - E cutin ester bonded cutin - ICL internal cuticular layer - MX-membrane polymer matrix membrane - NE-cutin non-ester bonded cutin - TEM transmission electron microscopy     

A hundred-year-old question: is the moss calyptra covered by a cuticle? A case study of Funaria hygrometrica

Background and Aims

The maternal gametophytic calyptra is critical for moss sporophyte development and ultimately sporogenesis. The calyptra has been predicted to protect the sporophyte apex, including the undifferentiated sporogenous region and seta meristem, from desiccation. We investigate the hypothesis that this waterproofing ability is due to a waxy cuticle. The idea that moss calyptrae are covered by a cuticle has been present in the literature for over a century, but, until now, neither the presence nor the absence of a cuticle has been documented for any calyptra.

Methods

The epidermis of the calyptra, leafy gametophyte and sporophyte sporangia of the moss Funaria hygrometrica were examined using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Thicknesses of individual cuticle layers were quantified and compared statistically. The immunochemistry antibody (LM19) specific for pectins was used to locate cell wall material within the cuticle.

Key Results

A multi-layered cuticle is present on the calyptra of F. hygrometrica, including layers analogous to the cuticular layer, cell wall projections, electron-lucent and electron-dense cuticle proper observed in vascular plants. The calyptra rostrum has a cuticle that is significantly thicker than the other tissues examined and differs by specialized thickenings of the cuticular layer (cuticular pegs) at the regions of the anticlinal cell walls. This is the first documentation of cuticular pegs in a moss.

Conclusions

The calyptra and its associated cuticle represent a unique form of maternal care in embryophytes. This organ has the potential to play a critical role in preventing desiccation of immature sporophytes and thereby may have been essential for the evolution of the moss sporophyte.     

Studies on Foliar Penetration: VIII. EFFECTS OF CHLORINATION ON THE MOVEMENT OF PHENOXYACETIC AND BENZOIC ACIDS THROUGH CUTICLES ISOLATED FROM THE FRUITS OF LYCOPERSICON ESCULENTUM L.

The effects of chlorine substitution on the movement of phenoxyaceticand benzoic acids through enzymatically-isolated cuticles ofLycopersicon fruits were determined by following the transferof each acid containing ¹⁴C from a donor to a receiver solution.This cuticle is characterized by an isotropic cutin matrix,within which patches of birefringent cuticular waxes are foundnear the outer surface. The outer, morphological surface isrelatively smooth while at the junction with the outer wallsof the epidermal cells there is extensive cuticular developmentextending down between the anticlinal walls. The epicuticularwax appears as a soft sheet-like covering of which the surfaceis relatively featureless. Chlorination of phenoxyacetic acid results in an enhanced transferacross the isolated cuticle. The order was 2,4,5- and 2,4,6-trichlorophenoxyacetic> 2,4- and 3,5-dichlorophenoxyacetic > 2-chlorophenoxyacetic> phenoxyacetic acid. Removal of the epicuticular wax resultedin greater permeability for all compounds; transfer of the morepolar acids was favoured. In contrast, chlorination of benzoicacid decreases passage through the cuticle; the rate is highestfor benzoic acid followed in descending order by 2-chlorobenzoic,2,4- and 2,5-dichlorobenzoic and 2,3,6-trichlorobenzoic acid.Chlorination also depresses the passage of both phenoxyaceticand benzoic acid through a dialysis membrane. The effects ofchlorination on the lipid solubility of both series of compoundsare discussed in relation to differences in transfer acrossthe cuticle.     

The Morphology and Permeability of Isolated Cuticular Membranes of Hoya carnosa R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae)

This investigation is in part an extension of previous leafcuticle observations made on 52 other taxa among 34 families.Dewaxed, chemically isolated, adaxial and abaxial cuticularmembranes and transverse leaf sections of the wax-flower plant(Hoya carnosa R. Br.) were examined using ordinary stainingtechniques and light-microscopy methods. Evidence is presentedfor the existence of ubiquitous, discrete, naturally occurringcuticular pores, concomitant with anticlinally oriented trans-cuticularcanals, distributed randomly throughout the cuticular matrix.The surface of the adaxial cuticular membrane contains approx.6540 unclustered pores per mm², the abaxial approx. 4680 poresper mm². Pore and canal diameters range between 0.5 and 0.75µm. The canals are often arcuate and their lengths aredirectly related to cuticle thickness. No correlations werefound between cuticle thickness and either pore numbers or poreand canal diameters. Based upon experiments with various pHindicators, solutions, and stains, the dewaxed, dry cuticularmembrane of H. carnosa appears to be both distinctly hydrophilicand selectively permeable through a myriad of microscopicallyvisible pores and canals permeating its matrix. A de novo interpretationof gross cuticle morphology based solely upon light microscopyobservations is presented by semi-diagrammatic illustrations. Hoya carnosa R. Br., wax-flower (wax-plant), cuticular membranes, cuticular pores, transcuticular canals, permeability