Title: Observations on Leaf Characteristics of Afghanistan Pine1
Abstract: Abstract Observations on leaf morphology and on the fine-structure and quantity of epicuticular wax of a newly introduced (Plant Introduction (PI) 303638) Afghanistan pine ( Pinus brutia Ten.) indicated that needles were borne 2 or 3 per fascicle with 1.7- to 4-fold more 3- than 2-needled fascicles depending on the flush of growth. Needles were curved and twisted, margins serrulate, and apices acute. An amorphous epicuticular wax, about 180±48 μ g cm −2 , covered the needles. Crystalline platelet or fiber-like wax occurred in irregular patches, frequently around stomata. Stomata on both abaxial and adaxial surfaces were deeply depressed and in rows parallel to the long axis of the needle. In many stomata the antechamber was partially occluded with fiber-like wax. Thin-layer chromatograms indicated that the more polar constituents, namely fatty acids, sec -alcohols and esters were most prevalent, while only traces of alkanes, ketones and aldehydes were present.