The Prevalence of Pores and Canals in Leaf Cuticular Membranes

Ubiquitous, visibly discrete, natural cuticular pores and transcuticular canals were found in the dewaxed leaf (and one herbaceous stem) cuticular membranes of 27 out of 32 taxa among 14 families. Clear evidence for their existence is provided by light photomicrographs. Both adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces were investigated using thin transections and chemically isolated cuticular membranes, in conjunction with ordinary staining techniques and light microscopy methods. No correlations were found between cuticle thicknesses and either the frequency of pore or the pore and canal diameters.