ABSTRACT
In common with all other laticifers, the laticiferous vessels in Hevea brasiliensis possess nonlignified cell walls. The presence of several nuclei during the formation of laticiferous vessels was reported during the first cytological observations using optical microscopy. This chapter aims at shedding light on the problem of the connections between the laticiferous system and other phloem cells. It combines observations using optical and electron microscopy to track the various stages of nucleus development in primary laticifers in developing roots. Proplastids have been found in embryonic petiole laticifers. The constituents of these specialized plant cells have been identified: nucleus, mitochondria, plastids, ribosomes, vacuome, and walls. Ribosomes were also found in latex cytoplasm serum and also in its lutoid fraction. The ultrastructure of the constituents of latex is beginning to be known, and especially that of the specialized organelles, but their cytochemistry, cytoenzymology, and even the ultrastructure of laticifer wall and plasmalemma have still been studied very little.
