Laticifer

A laticifer is a type of elongated secretory cell found in the leaves and/or stems of plants that produce latex and rubber as secondary metabolites. Laticifers may be divided into:

• Articulated laticifers, i.e., composed of a series of cells joined together, or
• Non-articulated laticifers, consisting of one long syncytial cell.

They are thought to have a role in wound healing and as defense against herbivory and are often used for taxonomy.

Laticifers were first described by H. A. de Barry in 1877.

References

• Taiz and Zeiger. 1998. Plant Physiology Sinauer
• Mahlberg P. G. 1993. Laticifers - an historical perspective. Botanical Review 59: 1-23