Plant epicuticular waxes represent the outermost boundary layer of the majority of land plants. Based on their micromorphology and chemical composition they form a multifunctional surface. Their most important functions are the protection against uncontrolled water loss, reflection of solar radiation from UV to visible light, and their crucial influence on surface wettability and particle adhesion. The three-dimensional epicuticular wax crystals are of particular importance for the majority of these interfacial interactions. This article provides an overview on plant epicuticular waxes, focusing on chemical composition, morphology, self-assembly and function. It is dedicated to Prof. Dr. Eckhard Wollenweber on the occasion of his 65th birthday, and his continuous and fundamental work on a special class of plant secondary metabolites that are collectively called flavonoids.
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