Table I.
Anatomical characteristics of P. vulgaris and C. communis leaves used for the grease patch experiments
Measurements were taken on fully expanded primary P. vulgaris leaves and from main axis C. communis leaves. Leaf thickness and porosity were measured from leaf cross sections and stomatal density from leaf epidermal impressions. Means are of four leaves; ses are shown in parentheses.
| Measurement | P. vulgaris | C. communis |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf thickness (μm) | 410 (±33) | 460 (±30) |
| Tissue thickness (μm)a | ||
| Upper epidermis | 31.6 (±1.4) | 54.9 (±3.7) |
| Palisade | 79.3 (±4.4) | 70.2 (±2.2) |
| Spongy mesophyll | 100.5 (±2.8) | 88.6 (±7.9) |
| Lower epidermis | 22.5 (±2.8) | 46.6 (±1.4) |
| Porosity %b | 36.4 (±1.4) | 40.9 (±1.2) |
| Stomatal density (mm−2) | ||
| Upper leaf surface | 21.3 (±2.2) | 13.6 (±0.47) |
| Lower leaf surface | 106.5 (±6.4) | 46.8 (±2.2) |
| Lower/upper ratio | 5.00 | 3.44 |
a
Tissue thickness was measured on individual cells, so they sum to less than the leaf thickness measured on whole leaf sections.
b
Porosity was calculated as the percentage of the total leaf cross-sectional area of leaf comprising air spaces.