Abstract
A study on the leaf anatomy of Cordiera sessilis (Rubiaceae), a native medicinal shrub from Brazilian Cerrado was carried out to identify features that may be useful in species recognition. Leaves were collected, fixed and processed by usual techniques, and studied by light and electron microscopy. Quantitative analyzes of stomata and trichomes were performed. In addition to the typical anatomical characteristics of Rubiaceae leaves, two types of vascular patterns were identified in the petiole: in distal part, the vascular system is arranged cylindrically surrounded by sclerenchyma sheath and in proximal part the vascular system is arranged in U-shape coupled to sclerified cells. The micromorphological organization of leaf surface, epicuticular wax types, the petiole pattern and histochemical characteristics as the presence of druses, crystal sand and alkaloids and absence of raphides in the mesophyll, midrib and petiole are considerate representative characteristics of C. sessilis and may be useful in the species recognition.
Highlights
The genus Cordiera (Rubiaceae) comprises 21 species distributed in Central and South America (Delprete & Cortés-B, 2006)
Cordiera sessilis (Vell.) Kuntze, or “marmelinho”, “marmelo-do-cerrado” and “marmelada-de-cachorro” is a branched shrub with a low canopy, which is widely distributed in Brazil, especially in the states of Ceará, Mato Grosso, Goiás, Minas Gerais and São Paulo (Silva, Silva, Bolzani, & Lopes, 2006; Zappi, Calió, & Pirani, 2014)
The current study describes the leaf anatomy of C. sessilis in order to contribute for the diagnosis of the species
Summary
The genus Cordiera (Rubiaceae) comprises 21 species distributed in Central and South America (Delprete & Cortés-B, 2006). Cordiera sessilis (Vell.) Kuntze, or “marmelinho”, “marmelo-do-cerrado” and “marmelada-de-cachorro” is a branched shrub with a low canopy, which is widely distributed in Brazil, especially in the states of Ceará, Mato Grosso, Goiás, Minas Gerais and São Paulo (Silva, Silva, Bolzani, & Lopes, 2006; Zappi, Calió, & Pirani, 2014). Cordiera sessilis is native species from Brazilian Cerrado and has nutritional and medicinal properties (Silva et al, 2006). Some chemical studies reported to the isolation of the constituents from leaves such as triterpenes, iridoids, flavonoids and esters of caffeic acid (Olea, Roque, & Bolzani, 1997; Silva et al, 2006). Silva, Bolzani, Young, and Lopes (2007) reported new antifungal phenolic derivatives, iridoids and lignins from leaves.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
