Ultrastructure and Development of the Laticifers of Ficus carica L

Laticifers of Ficus caricaL. are of the branched, non-articulated type. They occur in the cortex and pith of the plant axis and penetrate leaves and inflorescences. Observations were made on laticifers located in shoot apices. Growing regions of laticifers undergo a sequence of ultrastructural changes. These are: (a) a pronounced increase in the vacuolar space which divides the cytoplasm into separated masses; (b) a development of numerous vesicular structures in the cytoplasm. The vesicular structures are released into the vacuolar space. The whole process is accompanied by disintegration of cytoplasm. Apparently isolated masses of cytoplasm occur in the lumina of laticifer tips in sections taken from dormant apices. It is assumed that these masses have a role in the initiation of new laticifer regions in the next growing season.