SEASONAL-VARIATIONS IN EPICUTICULAR WAX ULTRASTRUCTURES OF QUERCUS-ROBUR LEAVES

Already the very young leaflets of oak (Quercus robur L.), newly emerging from their buds, arc covered by a thin wax layer, but at this time it lacks any wax sculptures or crystalloids. Both in its amount and its composition this wax layer is quite different to that of mature leaves. After leaf unfolding a dynamic biosynthesis of wax lipids is started. Ten days after the leaf has emerged from its bud, wax crystalloids are seen for the first time, developing out of the wax layer in the form of platelets. These crystalloids increase in size and quantity within the next weeks and are present on both leaf surfaces. On the adaxial side a dense and uniform arrangement of fringed edged platelets is observed. Similar dense arrangements of platelets are found on the abaxial leaf side, but with an intensive concentration and orientation around the stomata. All platelets are composed of tetracosanol, the main wax component, accounting for more than 40% of wax. Variations in surface wax ultrastructures are observed in July. Well formed platelets and melted away crystalloids are found close together in distinct parts of the same leaf, both on the adaxial and on the abaxial sides of the leaf. These observations pertain to preparations made from July to November with a trend toward recrystallization in October. High temperature and essential oils may be the reasons for the melting away or solution of the platelets.