Structural diversity and distribution of laticifers

Abstract The present chapter deals with the concept as well as the structure, ultrastructure and development of laticifer in plants. The morphological aspects of the laticifer development are used to better support the laticifer current classification. Some general functions attributed to the laticifer are discussed, especially those related to the plant protection. As a novelty we cited a role of laticifer presence and distribution in the pollination of the fig trees. An extensive bibliographic survey on taxonomic distribution of laticifers in plants is presented. Illustrations of anatomy, histochemistry and ultrastructure of laticifers are presented to exemplify the treated aspects. Unpublished or recently published aspects are highlighted in each topic. We showed that there is a great diversity of morphological types of laticifers and developmental processes involving the laticifer formation in plants.