07. Botany: Kleinia leaf (kleinia tomentosa)
Electron microscopy

The surface of a leaf of a Kleinia tomentosa plant. The leaf has several close-packed felt-like hairs (brown). These serve to protect against evaporation. At lower centre is a breathing pore or stoma. This regulates the exchange of gases between the leaf and the atmosphere.

The Kleinia plant is a stemmed succulent which has a cactus-like appearance. It grows mainly in Africa but is also used as a household plant. Coloured Scanning Electron Microscope, Magnification: x1,000.