Epicuticular Wax on Goldenweed (Isocomaspp.) Leaves: Variation with Species and Season

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Abstract
Large quantities of viscous, non-crystalline epicuticular waxes were observed on leaves of three goldenweed (Isocoma) species. Based on weights of residues from single 15-s chloroform extractions, wax on leaves of field-grown plants of the least herbicide-susceptible species, common goldenweed [I. coronopifolia(Gray) Greene], increased from 71 mg/dm2in March to 286 mg/dm2in October, which was two to four times greater than the amount present on other goldenweed species. Similar quantities were produced by leaves of glasshouse-grown plants, but maximum wax production occurred during summer months. The epicuticular wax of fully expanded leaves decreased with age. The amounts of epicuticular wax on individual plants growing within a field population varied by a factor of four.