Stomatal crypt
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Title
Stomatal crypt
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Definition
A pit, usually on the abaxial leaf blade surface, in which the stomates of nearly all species of occur.
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Notes
In neotropical Lecythidaceae, the stomates of nearly all species have their stomates on the abaxial leaf blade surface (some stomates are found adaxially at least in some species of Gustavia) and sunken in stomatal crypts. In addition some species have abaxial papillae. All of these features are hypothesized to be ways that they reduce evapotranspiration from their leaves and, thus, conserve water.
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Related Terms
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