Abstract
Studies on the anatomy of Piper leaves demonstrate the presence of a subepidermal tissue distinct from the adjacent epidermis, which cells show thin walls and hyaline contents. Some authors consider such cells a hypodermal tissue, while others refer to them as components of a multiple epidermis. In this study, the nature of this subepidermal tissue was investigated through the analysis of leaf ontogeny in three Piper species. The analysis showed that the referred tissue originates from the ground meristem and, thus, should be considered a hypodermis. The studied species suggests that the role of the hypodermis would be to protect the photosynthetic apparatus from excess light, regulating the intensity of light reaching the chlorophyll parenchyma.
Highlights
Piperaceae species present a multisseriate epidermis, according to Fahn (1974)
Subepidermal layers formed by conspicuous, hyaline cells were observed on the adaxial surface of another Piperaceae species, Ottonia martiana Miq.; in this species, the subepidermal tissue was seen on the abaxial surface, but only next to the central rib of the leaf (Souza et al, 2004)
It is difficult to distinguish the multiple epidermis from the hypodermis and this controversy usually leads to the conclusion that studies on leaf ontogeny are needed
Summary
Subepidermal layers formed by conspicuous, hyaline cells were observed on the adaxial surface of another Piperaceae species, Ottonia martiana Miq.; in this species, the subepidermal tissue was seen on the abaxial surface, but only next to the central rib of the leaf (Souza et al, 2004). In this case, the subepidermal tissue was not considered a part of the epidermis, neither a hypodermis, being emphasized that further studies on the leaf ontogeny were needed. It is difficult to distinguish the multiple epidermis from the hypodermis and this controversy usually leads to the conclusion that studies on leaf ontogeny are needed
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