Idioblastic mucilage cells in Teucrium polium leaf. Anatomy and histochemistry
Abstract
Artemios M. Bosabalidis
In the mesophyll of Teucrium polium L. leaves, isolated or grouped idioblastic secretory cells occur in contact with the distal (adaxial) vessel elements of the vascular bundles. They appear to originate from one or more bundle sheath cells and their intracellular space is entirely occupied by the secretory material. The latter has a glycoproteinaceous constitution (mucilage), as histochemical tests showed. Idioblastic cells, therefore, correspond to typical mucilage cells. Mucilage seems to play a crucial role in the adaptation of the plant to unfavourable environmental conditions.
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