Oil bodies
Among the bryophytes, approximately 90% of liverworts possess cellular oil-bodies. Oil bodies are true membrane-bound organelles, and are unique to liverworts. There is a suite of secondary compounds that are typically stored in oil-bodies, but to date the exact function of these organelles is unknown.
Much variation exists in the number, shape, size, and general appearance of oil bodies, and sometimes these characteristics can be taxonomically informative. Examination of oil bodies is often necessary for the identification of liverwort specimens. Because oil bodies rapidly disintegrate when a plant is dried, these characteristics can often be missed.
| Oil-bodies in cells of Frullania squarrosula. The surface of the oil bodies are moderately papillose, and there are 5-8 per cell (photo by M. von Konrat). | Cells and oil-bodies of Jubulopsis novae-zelandiae. Note the surface of the oil-bodies appear almost smooth or homogenous and number over 15 oil-bodies per cell (photo by M. von Konrat) |
Oil bodies of a Jungermannia (photo by B. Shaw) |
Oil bodies of Nardia lescurii (photo by B. Shaw) |
Oil bodies in cells of Rectolejeunea maxonii (photo by B. Shaw) |
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