Characterization of the components of plant cuticles in relation to the penetration of 2,4‐D

SUMMARY Quantitative comparisons were made of the components of the cuticles of leaves of plantain, fat hen, dandelion, dock, chickweed and forget‐me‐not. Hydrocarbons and triterpenoids were prominent in the surface wax of plantain; esters and alcohols in the other surface waxes. Polar compounds predominated in the cuticular waxes. Cuticle development in plantain, dandelion and chickweed was similar, but the cutins differed in the relative proportions of hydroxy‐fatty and fatty acid components. Sorption of 2,4‐D by the cuticular membrane was inversely related to the amount of cuticular wax. Hydrocarbons and an aldehyde fraction isolated from surface wax most effectively reduced the penetration of water in a model system.