Ecotypic variation in Eucalyptus viminalis Labill. I. Leaf surface waxes, a temperature × origin interaction

Abstract

Electron microscopic evidence is presented to show that leaf surface waxes from three ecotypes of Eucalyptus viminalis Labill. react differently to temperature. Density of wax rodlet coverage on juvenile leaves declined markedly over the temperature range 18-33°C for two of the ecotypes while the third showed only a gradual decline. A differential response to temperature was also noted with regard to wax rodlet morphology. Possible explanations for ecotypic differences are discussed.