The ultrastructure of the development of Tillandsia (Bromeliaceae) trichome

Tillandsia spp. (Bromeliaceae) use their epidermal trichomes for absorbing atmospheric water, mineral and organic nutrients. The absorbing trichome in Tillandsia has a nail-like shape, formed by an axis (stem) connected to the internal tissues of the leaf, and by an external shield. Water and aqueous liquids coming from the external environment go through the shield cells and then run through the stem, finally reaching the underlying mesophyll parenchyma along a symplastic route.