Anatomy and micromorphometry of Caryocar brasiliense leaves

Abstract

The current study aims to study the anatomy and micromorphometry ofC. brasiliense leaves in three Cerrado (savanna) vegetation-types: dense, typical and sparse) - in the municipality of Porto Nacional-TO. Samples were collected, fixed and stored in alcohol 70%. Transverse, longitudinal and paradermal sections of the median leaflet were prepared for anatomical and micromorphometric studies using standard techniques. C. brasiliense leaflets show uniestratified epidermis covered by thick cuticle on the adaxial surface and by paracytic stomata and multicellular non-glandular trichomes on the abaxial surface. The mesophyll is formed by two or three layers of palisade parenchyma adaxially and spongy parenchyma abaxially. The vascular bundle is of the collateral type and the accessory bundles show a sheath extending into the epidermides. The micromorphometric analyses pointed to significant differences in the thickness of both adaxial epidermis and spongy parenchyma in all specimens from the three vegetation-types. The highest averages were found in the leaflets of sparse cerrado plants, suggesting that environmental factors may have an influence over the plants morphological responses.