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Evading the 'Lotus Effect'
1Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Biologist (London, England)
|January 12, 2001
Abstract:
A micro-relief of wax encrustation or outgrowths of epidermal cells imparts a property to most leaf surfaces which makes them self-cleaning when rain drops pass over them. Fungi, lichens and algae may evade this self-cleaning mechanism and take up residence on the leaf surface.