ki Leaf
ki Leaf
The Tissue is
called Epidermis
It Covers the Entire Plant Surface. Epidermis can have a thick Cuticle. Cuticle is essentially Wax.
Wax is waterproof.
Agave is a desert plant with extremely
waxy leaves.
The leaves of desert plants usually
have extremely thick cuticles.
|
 |
Sections through an Agave Leaf: Note the prominent Cuticle. How could I miss it????? |
Section through a Kamani Leaf: Note the thick yellow Cuticle. |
Local examples of plants that can have thick cuticles include hala & niu (Pandanus & Cocos).
|
|
 Upper Surface of Coconut Palm (niu) Leaf, Stained with Sudan Red |
 Cross Section through a Coconut Palm (niu) Leaf Stained with Sudan Red |
| The Cuticle has stained an orange color. | |
| Cross Section through a ki (ti) Leaf, stained with Sudan Red: Note the Cuticle which has stained positively. Ki leaves were used tomake rain capes as well as thatching. Their Cuticle would repel water. |  |
Note the beads of water on the leaves to the right.
These are due to the presence of a waxy
cuticle.
Cuticle of the Carnuba Palm produced Carnuba Wax. This was the best auto wax before Formula 2001.
The ability of the Cuticle to shed water made plants like ki, hala & pili grass useful as thatch or rain cloaks.
Note the Prominet Cuticle (Translucent Layer) on
a leaf of
Pili Grass
