Figure 2
N. khasiana plant showing different stages of leaf development with their corresponding SEM and cross-sectioned images. (a) A shoot possessing several developing leaves, each attaining distinct stage of development: stage 1 represents the topmost leaf (L1), the leaf (L2) with the expanded leaf base is considered stage 2, the leaf (L3) showing complete expansion of the leaf base and the appearance of the pitcher characterizes stage 3, the leaf (L4) showing elongation of the tendril and expansion of the pitcher tube represents stage 4, while the leaf (L5) showing pitcher expansion with the lid remaining unopened is considered as stage 5 (white vertical/horizontal lines specify the dissected regions of each stage; bar = 6 cm). (b–e) Close-up photographs of stages 1–4 (boxes in a–e denote segments for SEM analysis; boxes are not drawn to scale; bar = 1 cm). (f–t) SEM micrographs of the different segments indicated in a–e, each segment corresponding to different regions within the different stages of N. khasiana leaf development (j, m, and left panels in o, p, r, s - adaxial (ad) surfaces; k, n, and right panels in o, p, r, s - abaxial (ab) surfaces; dashes in f and g denote regions for cross-sectioning; digestive glands are indicated by asterisk; white arrow denotes lunate cells in the waxy zone; black arrow shows the peristome nectary glands). (u–w) SEM photomicrographs of the leaf base lamina midvein (left panels) and the tendril (right panels) of the later stages of N. khasiana leaf development (Stages 3, 4 and 5). Inset shows magnified images of portions of each structure. Asterisks point to the flat leaf base abaxial lamina. bar = 200 µm; 100 µm (inset). (x–y) Cross-sectioned photomicrographs of the apex region and the in-rolled leaf base lamina. Magnified images of portions of both structures are represented in separate boxes (bar = 200 µm).
