The present study describes the anatomy, distribution, morphology and
ultrastructure of laticifer system in the phylloclades of Euphorbia caducifolia Haines (Family Euphorbiaceae), a potential
biofuel yielding, Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) plant for the first time
using light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Histochemical tests
were performed to identify the principal components of latex using a variety of
stains. In cross section, the phylloclade is composed of four distinct regions:
the epidermis, cortex, vascular cylinder and pith. The phylloclade anatomy
indicated xeromorphic characters and provided an insight about its capacity to
grow with very little rainfall and/or inputs
on dry or marginal lands. Non-articulated laticifers are present in the cortex,
vascular cylinder and pith, but their frequency varies with the tissue type.
Highest laticifer frequency was observed in vascular cylinder (9.6%) followed
by cortex (3.9%) and pith regions (1.9%). In contrast, laticifer index was
found to be higher in the pith (12.7%) followed by cortex (3.8%) and vascular
cylinder (2.3%). The discovery
of a system of laticifers in E.
caducifolia not described earlier could also be of taxonomic value. The histo-chemical tests revealed the presence of
lipids, phenols, flavonoids, protein and starch in laticifer. As described by
TEM observations laticifers contained distinct cell wall, nucleus and cytoplasm
with ribosomes, small and big vacuoles, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum,
plastids and osmophilic bodies. The lipophilic compounds present in the latex
of this species could be used as chemical feedstock for the production of biofuels.