Are these tracheary elements tracheids or vessels? Can't tell? Neither can I. With a longitudinal section and an excellent high power lens, we might just be able to see perforations if they are present and oriented properly. But even a tiny fragment of starch could hide the miniscule perforations these might have. And even if we could see a perforation, it might appear to be nothing more than a blemish, an artifact. We might look right at a perforation and still not be certain if these are vessel elements or tracheids. |