Rabbit Anti-Xaph polyclonal antibody for ELISA. The bacterium enters the leaves via stomata or wounds, and subsequently invades the intercellular spaces, causing a gradual dissolution of the middle lamella. The stem is entered in three ways: via the stomata of the hypocotyl and epicotyl; through the vascular system of the leaf; or from infected cotyledons. The seed is penetrated via the vascular system of the pedicel and funiculus. The micropyle also serves as a point of entry into the seed. Direct penetration of seed has not been observed. The pathogen either remains in the seedcoat or passes to the cotyledons when the seed germinates, and so infection of the young plant results.