Ultrastructural and histochemical analysis of the trichomes of Cyclea peltata (Menispermaceae)

Abstract

Cyclea peltata is a medicinal climber belonging to the family Menispermaceae. The global distribution of this species is recorded from the tropical Asia regions. Trichome phenology studies of C. peltata utilizing Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), light microscopy and fluorescent microscopy demonstrated the structural and organizational heterogeneity of trichomes. All the trichomes observed were non-glandular. C. peltata possessed three types of non-glandular trichomes such as long trichomes, short trichomes and ribbon-like trichomes. Of these, ribbon-like trichomes are limited to the surface of the leaves. The majority of the trichomes observed were unicellular, long and hook-shaped. Auto fluorescence analysis revealed a large amount of cell wall materials on the basal cell. Additional morphological features of the trichomes included the occurrence of grooves and deposition of epicuticular wax. The trichome morphology of C. peltata explains the possible influence of environmental cues.