Figure 5.

Scanning electron microscopy micrographs showing freeze-fractures of the adult leaves of T. ventricosa. (a) Low-magnification SEM micrograph showing a freeze-fracture of the midrib from a young leaf. (b) Freeze-fracture showing the distribution of laticiferous cells along the vascular bundles and phloem of a mature leaf midrib. (c) Laticifer cell distribution among vascular bundles of a young leaf midrib. (d) Laticifer cell showing latex exudate from a young leaf. (e) Latex exudate within laticifer cell from a young leaf. (f) High-magnification image showing the appearance of latex exudate from an emergent leaf. Abbreviations: ue = upper epidermis, c = collenchyma, pa = parenchyma, vb = vascular bundles, ph = phloem, x = xylem, pal = palisade, le = lower epidermis. Arrows refer to laticifer.