Surface wax on the leaves of some mosses

Abstract

Untreated and chloroform-washed leaf surfaces of 43 spp. of mosses were examined with the scanning electron microscope. Of these, 12 spp. showed well developed superficial wax comparable with the epicuticular wax of flowering plants. A further 8 had at least traces of surface wax of similar character. All the species which display a glaucous bloom to the naked eye have strongly developed surface wax, and all the species with demonstrable wax are endohydric in their adaptation to water use and movement.