Aerial root cap structure of an orchid, Epidendrum
The root cap of Epidendrum ibaguense has a rounded profile with a root cap junction present between the cap and meristem. A distinct columella region is lacking. Mitotic figures are infrequent in the root cap initial cells. The root cap initials and their immediate derivatives show few dictyosomes, little endoplasmic reticulum, plastids lacking starch, and few vacuoles. As the cells age they increase in size and show increasing vacuolation. Plastids increase by division and accumulate large starch grains. Throughout the root cap, amyloplasts maintain a random orientation in the cell. Endoplasmic reticulum also becomes more abundant as the cells age. In older cells, hypertrophied dictyosomes are evident and cell wall material begins accumulating between the distal cell wall and the plasmalemma. Wall thickening progresses with age though radial walls remain largely unthickened. Vacuolation progresses and is followed by complete senescence leaving only the cell walls.