Epidermis and epicuticular waxes of Syagrus coronata leaflets
The outer epidermal cell walls of the leaf blade of the licuri palm tree were studied by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, with special attention to the epicuticular waxes. On the intensely green adaxial surface, the wax adheres in the form of a smooth, flexible, varnish-like layer. On the pruinose, dull, greenish or bluish abaxial side, the wax appears as a thin amorphous layer from which rodlets and columns protrude. Very curved rodlets, in compact rows, border each stoma, sometimes almost completely closing its aperture. Numerous pores, not resolvable with the light microscope, were detected in both cuticular membranes. Comments are presented concerning the possible functions of several configurations of epicuticular waxes. Key words: epicuticular waxes, wax micromorphology, Syagrus, licuri, epidermal wall.