1. a specialized plant cell or vessel that contains and transports latex
Usage: botanical

Examples

• The rubber tree’s laticifers produce the milky latex used to make natural rubber.
• When a dandelion stem is broken, latex flows from the damaged laticifers.
• Botanists study laticifers to understand how plants transport defensive compounds.
• The milkweed’s laticifers contain toxic substances that protect it from herbivores.
• Microscopic examination revealed branched laticifers throughout the plant tissue.
• Some plants have articulated laticifers made of joined cells, while others have non-articulated ones.