The Cuticle, Cutin, Suberin & Waxes-2   
311 Syllabus

Scanning Electron Microscopic Images of Wax & Cuticle

Low Magnification of Surface Wax on a Cactus Seed	High Magnification of Cactus seed Surface Wax: The undulations in the wax are probably reflective.
High mag. view of an area where the wax has ruptured to reveal the smooth Cuticle Proper.	Closer view of the Cactus seed which shows the undulating Wax layer above the Cuticle Proper.
Epidermis of Rhipsalis (an epiphytic cactus) The presence of stomata is indicated by the cavities in the thick Cuticle seen in surface view. The thickness of the cuticle (colored red) is revealed by a section through the Epidermis.
Rhipsalis sp. with Flowers	Rhipsalis sp. with Fruits
Wax and Cuticle of Strelitzia "Bird of Paradise": Note the rim of wax that surrounds the stomata
Leaves of Colletia: Note the frosty appearance of the leaves!	This is one of the wildest things I have ever seen. The tube-like structures are called stomatal chimneys. They are composed of wax. A stomata lies at the base of each chimney. The frosty appearance of the Colletia leaf is due to these structures which shield the stomata from air currents that would remove water vapor from the leaf surface.
The frozen ropes in this image represent the wax on the surface of Asparagus! Note the recessed location of the stomata.	The Cuticle can be an effective barrier to pathogens because it repels water and because it is almost completely indigestible. Some Fungi produce Cutinase which can digest Cutin.