This includes all the tissues of the plant that interface with the environment. One primary function in the shoot is to limit water loss. In the root, the epidermis must allow for the uptake of water and minerals and, hence, does not have a cuticle, and, hence, does not need stomata. Root hairs, increase the surface area of the root epidermis for uptaking water.

• Link to image of a face view of Setcreasea leaf epidermis with guard cells.

 

• Link to image of a cross section of the epidermis of a Medicago Stem, with a view of a stoma with guard cells and with basal cells of the epidermis.

 

• Link to image of trichomes of Coleus epidermis.

 

• Link to image of cuticle of the epidermis of a Syringa leaf.

 

• Link to image of cuticle of the epidermis of a Nerium leaf.

 

• Link to image of root hair of a grass seedling root.

 

• Link to image of the bark of a Tilia stem with cork facing to the outside.