PREPARATION OF EPIDERMAL IMPRINTS OF LIVING PLANT ORGANS BY USE OF NONTOXIC MUCILAGE AND LATEX

Epidermal imprints were made with the mucilage of Cordia obliqua and latex of Jatropha gossypifolia, J. pandurifolia and Manilkara hexandra. The fresh undiluted juices were applied to the surface of selected organs and allowed to dry to a translucent film. The film was then cautiously stripped from the surface and mounted dry for microscopy. The impression materials were tried on both foliar and floral organs of living plants and dried leaves. Best results were obtained by the use of mucilage of Cordia obliqua, but no phytotoxic effects were shown by any of the materials. Details shown by the impressions so made were fully as good as those obtainable with solutions of plastics. © 1969 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.