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 articulated, i.e., composed of a series of cells joined together, or non-articulated, consisting of one long 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
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