The surface of leaves is covered by epidermal tissue, specifically the leaf epidermis.

What this tissue is

  • The leaf epidermis is a continuous outer cell layer that forms the plant’s dermal tissue on leaves.
  • It is usually a single layer of tightly packed cells that protects the internal tissues from the external environment.

Extra useful detail

  • The epidermis is typically covered by a waxy cuticle that helps reduce water loss from the leaf surface.
  • Specialized structures like stomata (with guard cells) and sometimes hairs (trichomes) are also part of the leaf epidermal tissue.