Anatomía del rizoma y de la parte basal, media y distal del vástago de Solidago chilensis var. chilensis (Asteraceae)

Abstract

Solidago chilensis var. chilensis “goldenrod” is a rhizomatous perennial herb native to Argentina. It is used in popular medicine as antilithic, diuretic and vulnerary; it also has pharmacological activity as a gastroprotective, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti - oxidant. The objective of this study is to characterize the anatomy of the basal or proximal, middle and distal zones of the stem and the rhizome of Solidago chilensis var. chilensis in vegetative state to study future relations between parts of the plant and the production of phytochemicals, and to contribute to its characterization as a crude drug. The stem, rhizome and adventitious roots of vegetative individuals collected in the province of Buenos Aires were divided into three zones (distal, middle and basal or proximal) and studied by conventional histological techniques for optical and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that non-glandular whip and conical trichomes are located mainly in the leaves. The density of whip trichomes is higher in the leaves of the distal and middle stem. Biseriate glandular trichomes are only present in the distal leaves and stem and in the scales of the rhizome. The stomata are located in both foliar epidermis, but its density is lower in the basal leaves. There are schizogenous secretory spaces in all analyzed organs. In the leaves are associated with xylem and phloem, and in the scales, only with phloem. In the stem, rhizome and roots, they are located in the cortex associated with phloem; they are very well developed in the distal leaves and stem. Stems, rhizomes and roots have aerenchyma in the cortex, which develops larger intercellular spaces towards their basal or proximal zones. Calcium oxalate crystals in the form of needles, styloids and prisms are abundant in the aerenchyma and pith of the stem upper distal zone.