These geometrically regular cells of hypodermis strongly contrasted the epidermis, composed of smaller cells with sinusoidal anticlinal walls.
The testa epidermis is peculiar in that the outer walls of dry seeds are invaginated, while they bulge outwards in wetted seeds.
Except immediately beneath the epidermal scales, ribosomes are not generally found within the outer epidermis.
In general, the outer surface of the epidermis is relatively smooth, although in certain places it may be highly folded.
There is a diffuse lymphocytic infiltrate in the epidermis extending into the dermis.
There are no subsidiary cells, and the guard cells appear level with the rest of the epidermis.
The axis cells are alive, except a part of the epidermis, which is magnified in the inset (cell walls highlighted).
As seedling growth proceeds, lipoxygenases become confined to cells surrounding the vascular bundle, to the epidermis and to the hypodermis.
