The essential oil secretory structures of Prostanthera ovalifolia (Lamiaceae)

The structure of the essential oil secretory tissues of Prostanthera ovalifolia R.Br was investigated using bright- and dark-field optical microscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The leaves of P. ovalifolia have glandular trichomes of the peltate type common to many Lamiaceae species. The trichomes consist of a basal cell embedded in the epidermis, a stalk cell with heavily cutinized walls and a 16-celled secretory head, but they differ from those of many previously reported Lamiaceae species in their morphological form defined by the elevated cuticle. The sub-cuticular space contains a mixture of lipid and aqueous phases. Secretory cells have dense cytoplasm with many leucoplasts present. Volatile terpenoids are eliminated from the cytoplasm into the sub-cuticular space, the site of essential oil accumulation, via granulocrine secretion.