Funaria hygrometrica gametophyte and sporophyte cuticular waxes

The waxy cuticles that coat plant surfaces have been relatively well studied in vascular plant taxa, but it is unclear how similar they may be across distant lineages.

Busta et al. present comprehensive analyses of the waxes on the model moss Funaria hygrometrica including, for the first time, measurements of the amount of wax per surface area and a comparison of three aerial moss structures. These results are discussed in the context of plant evolution, the relationships between the parental and offspring moss structures, and the biosynthesis of cuticular wax compounds.