MicroMorfología de ceras epicuticulares en hojas Maduras de Sabal yapa Wright ex Becc. (arecaceae)

Abstract

This paper reports the presence of epicuticular
wax on the epidermal cuticle of the adaxial
and abaxial surfaces of the leaf blade of
Sabal yapa Wright ex Becc. Leaf samples
were collected in secondary growth of
subdeciduos forest in the State of Quintana
Roo and in two home gardens in the State
of Yucatan. Wax micromorphology observed
with scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
showed two types of crystals (following
the classification of Barthlott et al., 1998)
on both epidermal surfaces. The first type
is characterized by crystalloids called
irregular platelets, which are flat with sinuate
margins and protrude perpendicularly from
the surface. In their orientation they are
arranged like the parallel platelets described
as the “Convallaria-Type”. The other type
consists of continuous coverings over the
stomata that are called smooth layers. Further
studies on palm waxes, as well as a refined
classification, are necessary to compare and
clearly define their micromophology and
their role and importance.