Morphological and Histo-Anatomical Study of <i>Bryonia alba</i> L. (Cucurbitaceae)

Abstract

The purpose of this study consisted in the identification of the macroscopic and microscopic characters of the vegetative and reproductive organs of Bryonia alba L., by the analysis of vegetal material, both integral and as powder. Optical microscopy was used to reveal the anatomical structure of the vegetative (root, stem, tendrils, leaves) and reproductive (ovary, male flower petals) organs. Histo-anatomical details were highlighted by coloration with an original combination of reagents for the double coloration of cellulose and lignin. Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and stereomicroscopy led to the elucidation of the structure of tector and secretory trichomes on the inferior epidermis of the leaf. Micrographic analysis of the powder obtained from aerial parts revealed segments of each organ (e.g. stomata, trichomes) and confirmed furthermore the results obtained by the histo-anatomical studies. Sections achieved through vegetative organs reveal typical anatomical structures: a transition to the secondary structure for the root, a typical dicotyledons’ structure with bicollateral vascular bundles for the stem, a bifacial structure of the leaf and stem-like structures for the tendrils and petioles, which prove they are metamorphosis of the stem. Anatomical structure of reproductive organs was performed hereby for the first time and revealed a typical anatomical structure for the 3-lodged ovary and a leaf-like structure of the male flower petal. Some of the results obtained confirm existing data from the scientific literature and additional information have been provided, outlining features that were not previously reported, such as SEM analysis of the leaf trichomes and histo-anatomical structure of the reproductive organs.