Electron Microscopic Investigations on Internal Glandular Hairs of Dryopteris Ferns

Abstract

The structure of internal glands in the rhizomes of Dryopteris assimilis S. Walker is investigated by electron microscopy. The anthelmintically active phloroglucinol derivatives are biosynthesized in the glandular cytoplast and subsequently excreted through the plasmalemma and the cell wall to be accumulated under the cuticle as constituents of a subcuticular excretion layer. Some of the final reaction steps in the biosythesis of these compounds are possibly associated with the excretion process.