Progressive cutinization in Atriplex bladder stalk cells

Abstract

Bladder hairs of Atriplex prostrata B oucher ex DC. and Atriplex halimus L. were examined with emphasis on the cutinization of the stalk cell wall. Results of fluorescence staining and electron microscopy indicate a progressive cutinization of the stalk cell wall. Besides the strong cutinization of the lateral walls, a cutin incrustation of the horizontal cell walls of the stalk cell was noticed at a later stage of development. The relevance of this incrustation pattern for the ion transport into the bladders is discussed.