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Detail of the epidermis at the underside of a leaf of papyrus

Legend:

1  epidermal cells
3  cell wall thickening in guard cells
4  subsidiary cells
2  guard cells of stomata

English name: Papyrus
Scientific name: Cyprus papyrus
Familia: Cyperaceae
Classis: Monocotyledonas
Phylum: Angiospermae
Regnum: Plantae

The linear arrangement of epidermal cells, which is typical for monocots, can be seen in this strip of a fresh papyrus leaf. The epidermis cells form a close cover. The normal epidermal cells have a long shape and lack chloroplasts in contrast to guard cells. Guard cells have cell wall thickenings. The large subsidiary cells support the function of the guard cells. Figure A and B are two photographs of the same strip taken at two focus levels.