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Could it be that long ago leaves existed without the wax, and when it rained the leaves were weighed down by all the excess water they were absorbing? Leaves w

by giarc 12y ago

Could it be that long ago leaves existed without the wax, and when it rained the leaves were weighed down by all the excess water they were absorbing? Leaves with mutations producing wax were able to recover from a heavy rainstorm better than leaves with no wax. Picture a leaf in the Amazon, do you picture a big, waxy leaf? I do. Rainforest = more rain = more wax.

hrjet 12y ago
That's my first thought too. Moreover, letting the water roll off the leaves and down near the stem would help moistening the soil near the roots, which would ultimately benefit the plant.
- giarc 12y ago
  The wax could also refract sunlight better.