| Summary: | The localization of cuticular wax (CW) on the leaf epidermis and its interaction with the physiological mechanisms of three edible aroids, <i>Alocasia</i>, <i>Colocasia</i>, and <i>Xanthosoma</i>, were assessed. CW in the leaf tissues was visualized using scanning electron microscopy, which was higher in <i>Colocasia</i> (10.61 mg·dm<sup>−2</sup>) and <i>Xanthosoma</i> (11.36 mg·dm<sup>−2</sup>) than in <i>Alocasia</i> (1.36 mg·dm<sup>−2</sup>). <i>Colocasia</i> CW exhibited superhydrophobic properties with a higher static contact angle (CA) (>150°) than <i>Xanthosoma</i> (99.0°) and <i>Alocasia</i> (128.7°). The higher CW in <i>Colocasia</i> and <i>Xanthosoma</i> resulted in better leaf chlorophyll stability, moisture retention ability, and cellular membrane integrity compared to <i>Alocasia</i>. CW acted as a protecting barrier against deleterious solar radiation in terms of sun protection factor (SPF). The glossy appearance of wax crystals in the <i>Alocasia</i> leaf cuticles resulted in higher SPF. Overall, <i>Colocasia</i> CW highly influenced the qualitative and protective mechanisms of the leaf. Our study sheds light on the pivotal role of CW in the physiological properties of aroid leaves, which would be useful for the selection of wax-rich plants for augmenting future breeding strategies. The information would also be useful for further exploration of the industrial potential of superhydrophobic wax crystals obtained from edible aroids.
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