Rachis vascularization and leaflet venation in developing leaves of Fraxinus pennsylvanica

Abstract

Leaves of Fraxinus pennsylvanica are served by a double trace that exits the stem vasculature through a single gap. During embryonic leaf development, the leaf traces subdivide in the node to produce subsidiary bundles that differentiate acropetally in the leaf base and basipetally in the stem. The acropetal bundles converge distally in the node to form a rachis vasculature consisting of a semicircular arc joined by a ventral chord. Each lateral leaflet is vascularized by bundles contributed by both the semicircular arc and the ventral chord of the rachis. One rachis ridge bundle divides to form two leaflet ridge bundles and a new rachis ridge bundle diverges from the ventral chord. The leaflet ridge bundles diverge as basal veins and subsequent secondary veins diverge from the midvein in an approximate right–left sequence. Green ash has odd pinnate leaves; the terminal leaflet is vascularized by the rachis residual following departure of the last leaflet pair. Secondary veins extend to the lamina margins and then curve upward to initiate the marginal loops of the brochidodromous venation. Periclinal divisions occur in close association with secondary veins in the prospective plate meristem region. Anticlinal divisions occur in subepidermal layers of the internal ridge points in the prospective palisade mesophyll region.The latter divisions probably contribute both to lamina extension and to spreading of the conduplicately folded lamina wings.