Tissue from the hood and sarcophagus regions were fixed in 6% glutaraldehyde in 1 M.cacodylate buffer and washed in buffer. Tissue for SEM was partially dried, attached to aluminium targets with silver conducting paint, carbon-gold coated(100-500Å), and examined in a Kent Cambridge Stereoscan S4. Tissue for the light microscope was post fixed in 1% aqueous OsO4, dehydrated in acetone (4°C), embedded in Epon 812 and sectioned at ½u on a Sorvall MT 2 ultramicrotome. Cross and longitudinal sections were cut and stained with PAS, 0.5% toluidine blue and 1% azure II-methylene blue. Measurements were made from both SEM and Light micrographs.The tissue had two structurally distinct surfaces, an outer surface with small (225-500 µ) pubescent hairs (12/mm2), numerous stoma (77/mm2), and nectar glands(8/mm2); and an inner surface with large (784-1000 µ)stiff hairs(4/mm2), fewer stoma (46/mm2) and larger, more complex glands(16/mm2), presumably of a digestive nature.
Oriented cell division shapes carnivorous pitcher leaves of Sarracenia purpurea
