Papilla (plural = papillae; adj. = papillate)

• Title

  Papilla (plural = papillae; adj. = papillate)

• Definition

  Referring to an abaxial leaf blade surface or a stigma that bears minute protuberances that appear to be outgrowths of the cuticle of the leaf blade or of the stigma.

• Notes

  In Lecythidaceae, abaxial leaf blade surfaces of some species such as Bertholletia excelsa, Eschweilera atropetiolata, Lecythis lurida, and L. poiteaui are papillate. They have a whitish cast to the abaxial leaf blade surface caused by the papillae. The papillae can only be seen in detail with high magnification but their presence is often indicated by the whitish appearance on the abaxial leaf blade surface that appears different from the appearance of the adaxial surface, i.e., the leaf blades are discolorous.

• Related Terms

  Cuticle

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