laticiferceller

Laticifer cells are specialized plant cells that form a continuous network or series of vessels throughout the plant body. These cells are responsible for producing and storing latex, a milky or watery sap. Latex composition varies greatly among plant species and can contain a diverse array of substances, including rubber, resins, alkaloids, tannins, sugars, and proteins. The function of latex is also varied, serving purposes such as deterring herbivores, attracting pollinators or seed dispersers, sealing wounds, and storing metabolic byproducts.

Laticifer cells can be classified into two main types: articulated and non-articulated. Articulated laticifers are formed from a linear series of cells arranged end-to-end, resembling a chain. These chains can be branched or unbranched. Non-articulated laticifers, on the other hand, are single, exceptionally long, and often branched cells that extend throughout the plant. They develop from a single initial cell that elongates considerably.

The presence and distribution of laticifer cells are characteristic features used in plant taxonomy. Economically important plants that possess laticifers include the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), which is the primary source of natural rubber, and the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), known for its latex containing alkaloids like morphine. Understanding the structure and function of laticifer cells is crucial for research in plant physiology, biochemistry, and the sustainable utilization of plant-derived resources.