Guttation

Figure 34-4 Guttation in a strawberry leaf

Figure 34-4 shows a strawberry leaf with droplets of water at the borders. These water drops represent neither transpiration nor condensation from the atmosphere. Rather, this water results from guttation, a process whereby water is exuded (forced out under pressure) from the leaf through special glands called hydathodes. Analysis of the water reveals that it contains sugars.