Epidermis-8

Lecture Directory	Prior Page	Home Page	Next Page
Epidermis-8
Kukui Habitat		Kukui Leaves It is easy to spot Kukui trees in the forest because their leaves are highly reflective. You have probably guessed that Trichomes have something to do with this!!!!

		The leaf Surface of Kukui is covered with these multicellular, sessile Trichomes.
Microsection of Olive Leaf		Olive leaves have a silvery appearance. This is due to large, umbrella-like multicellular non-secretory trichomes. Locate these on the lower side of the microscopic section of an Olive leaf.
		These are the "Peltate Scales" from Olive leaves. The stalk has been detached by scraping.
		This is a similar Peltate Scale from Russian Olive. Those Russians sure are e show-offs!
		Tillandsia (Spanish Moss) is an epiphytic flowering plant. It is common in the warm costal regions of the USA. It is grown in Hawaii as an ornamental. However, it has become a pest species in some tropical areas and should be carefully watched. It is covered with the most spectacular sclaes that I have ever seen.
		Tillandsia Scale stained with Toluidine Blue. To know ultra-violet, infrared and x-rays, beauty to find in so many ways! When the plants are sprayed with water the scales become translucent and you can see the photosynthetic parenchyma. When the plants dry the scales become white and opaque, thus obscuring the photosynthetic parenchyma. Does this suggest functional significance?
		Structural complexity implies functionality. It would be interesting to investigate the function of these trichomes.