Shape Of Trichomes Research Articles

Anatomical study of Dracocephalum ruyschiana L. and Dracocephalum nutans L.

Currently, the arsenal of the pharmaceutical market has significantly expanded with highly effective drugs of plant origin. More than 1000 essential-oil-bearing plants grow in the flora of Kazakhstan. Of great interest are some species from the families Lamiaceae, Apiaceae, Asteraceae, which have not been studied at all before, or for which there is only brief information about the chemical composition and biological properties. In this respect, the Lamiaceae L. family, which is one of the leading in the flora of Kazakhstan, is of interest. So, on the territory of the republic in this family, there are 233 species, united in 45 genera. Among them, the most famous are plants of the genus Dracocephalum, which are a rich and very common source of essential oils. The purpose of our study - to analyze the anatomical parameters of Dracocephalum ruyschiana L. and Dracocephalum nutans L. and to reveal the diagnostic features of plants at the microscopic level. Materials And Methods. The object of the study was the aerial parts (leaves, inflorescences and stems) of Dracocephalum ruyschiana L. and Dracocephalum nutans L.In the study of the aerial organs of Dracocephalum ruyschiana L. and Dracocephalum nutans L., dry samples of raw materials were softened in a mixture of glycerin-alcohol-distilled water in a ratio 1:1:1 (Strauss-Fleming mixture). Surface preparations and sections were made manually. The slides were photographed using Altami Studio software; the photographs were processed using Paint 10.0. When describing the anatomical structure, the principles set forth in the works of V.N. Vekhova, L.I. Results and Discussion. Preliminary pharmacognostic investigation of vegetative material was done and diagnostic signs were identified. The detail microscopy revealed the presence of one type of trichrome on leaves’ epidermis; essential oil glandular. Type of mesophyll, structure of trichromes; form and location of epidermal cells, the presence of rare simple trichomes along the edge are discovered. Conclusion. As a results of the anatomical features of the raw material were established, among them the shape and structure of epidermal cells of the leaf and stem, the shape and location of essential oil glands and trichomes, the structure of the leaf and stem on the cross section are diagnostic features of the raw material of Dracocephalum ruyschiana L. and Dracocephalum nutans L.

Micromorphological leaf epidermal traits as potential taxonomic markers for infrageneric classification of Oxytropis (Fabaceae).

The characteristics of the leaf epidermis have proven to be useful criteria to support taxonomic studies within Fabaceae. However, there are few systematic studies on the taxonomic significance of leaf epidermis of Oxytropis DC. Here, we used light and scanning electron microscopy to investigate leaf epidermal characteristics of 18 species of genus Oxytropis from the Northeastern Margin of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Our examination showed two main types of leaf epidermal cells: polygonal and irregular, and four different patterns of anticlinal walls: straight-arched, sinuolate, undulate, and sinuate. All species studied possess anomocytic stomata. Two trichome shapes were identified: strip-like trichomes, that were present only in O.ciliata, and cylindrical trichomes, present in all other species. Epidermal cell shape and anticlinal wall pattern were constant within species and are useful for species delimitation within genus Oxytropis, when combined with other macroscopic traits. The shape of trichomes can be useful for distinguishing O.ciliata from the other investigated species. Stomatal type was the same within the genus and may be used to elaborate the phylogenetic relationships between genera in combination with data on stomata from other genera. Cluster analysis results were largely consistent with the classification of species and sections based on macro morphological data, indicating that foliar epidermis characteristics of Oxytropis can be used as markers for taxonomic identification at the infrageneric classification level. Lastly, our results support the delineation of the section Leucopodia as an independent section but do not support the merging of section Gobicola into section Baicalia.

Notes on the Newly Identified Asperula cankiriense B. Şahin & Sağıroğlu (Rubiaceae) from Turkey Based on a Light and Scanning Electron Microscopic Study.

Micromorphological features of vegetative and reproductive organs in plants are considered important because they can be used as taxonomic characters. Asperula cankiriense B. Şahin & Sağıroğlu, commonly known as “Çankırı belumu”, belongs to the family Rubiaceae and generally occurs in gypsum steppes. This research reports for the first time the micromorphological characteristics of the vegetative and reproductive organs of A. cankiriense using light and scanning electron microscopy. Taxonomically critical diagnostic features, such as raphide crystals, presence and shape of trichomes, leaf cross-section shape, flower structure, and epidermal ornamentation, were described in detail. This study provided up-to-date information on the micromorphology of this newly described species and provided additional systematic information on A. cankiriense. New data about the species are reported here and will contribute to the knowledge about the family Rubiaceae.

Flora of Espírito Santo: Lecythidaceae

Abstract The Lecythidaceae clade has a pantropical distribution and comprises 24 genera and 355 species. Ten genera and 121 species occur in Brazil, where species richness is highest in Amazonia. Four genera and 14 species were recorded in Espírito Santo, as well as two cultivated species. Important characters used to identify the species are the morphology of the bark, shape and size of the leaves, presence and shape of trichomes on the leaves and inflorescences, inflorescence type, morphology and color of the perianth (especially the petals), morphology of the androecium, shape and dimension of the fruits and seeds, and morphology of the arils. Identification keys, descriptions, illustrations, and comments for the taxa are provided.

Light and scanning electron microscopy-based foliar morpho-anatomical comparison of selected family Rosaceae members distributed in District Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.

In the present study morpho-anatomical characterization of selected Rosaceae members distributed in District Lahore was performed. Light and scanning electron microscopy was used for systematic characterization of the selected 19 species. Distinguished morpho-anatomical features such as size and shape of epidermal cells, size and type of stomatal cells, size and shape of trichomes, oil droplets, and silica bodies were contrasted. Results reported remarkable variations which could be taxonomically useful in identification of these members. Polygonal epidermal cells were observed in Eriyobotraya japonica, Potentilla bifurca, Potentilla supina, and Prunus amygdalus. However, Prunus cerasus possessed irregular-shaped epidermal cells that can be distinguished from hexagonal epidermal cells of Prunus persica. Similarly, stomatal type varied among some members. Paracytic or perisocytic stomata were observed in E. japonica whereas P. bifurca observed paracytic and anisocytic stomata. Lengths of guard cells were also of variable sizes. The average length of guard cells ranged from 53 (52-54) μm to 74 (73-75) μm in abaxial view. Potentilla supina had biggest, while Rosmarinus officinalis had tiny guard cells. Trichomes were tubular, stellate, cylindrical, ribbon-like, glandular, and nonglandular. Silica bodies in the present investigation were bilobed, rounded, and oval-shaped. It is inferred that diverse anatomical features proved to be valuable taxonomic tools that could be fruitfully helpful in identification of plants at specific as well as generic level.

Micromorphological variations of trichomes in the genus Ocimum L.

Ocimum L. is an attractive fragrant ornamental plant with medicinal aromatic compounds. The study using digital microscopy revealed the distinct epidermal trichome morphology in five species of Ocimum including O. americanum L., O. basilicum L., O. gratissimum L., O. kilimandscharicum Gurke and O. tenuiflorum L. A distinguished variation in size, shape, type and abundance of trichomes on leaves and stem of all species are described and photographed. Both glandular and non-glandular trichomes scrutinized in all the species in which glandular type comprised capitate and peltate trichomes. On the stem, the longest glandular capitate trichome (GCT) and non-glandular trichome (NGT) were observed in O. tenuiflorum while O. basilicum possessed longest glandular peltate trichome (GPT). In case of foliar trichomes, the longest GCT observed on leaves of O. americanum; and O. basilicum showed the longest GPT and NGT. In the species, the septate or aseptate NGT possessed uni, bi or multicellular base with acute or broad apex. A distinguished variation in the number of cells in stalk and head of GT was observed in the study. Presence of silica bodies in peltate trichome of O. kilimandscharicum was noticed as the characteristic feature. Among the five species, the trichomes were abundant in O. kilimandscharicum; while O. basilicum showed sparse distribution. Trichomes with disrupted cells were also noted in O. americanum. Due to the presence of specific trichome characteristics, the efficient taxonomic key is prepared to identify the taxa at species level.

Taxonomic significance of stamens and pollen morphology of some selected taxa of Primulaceae in Egypt

Abstract The circumscription study of Primulaceae is still uncertain and remains controversial. Stamens and pollen grains morphological characters of five species and one variety representing five genera viz.,Anagallis, Lysimachia, Coris, Primula and Samolus of Primulaceae in Egypt have been studied using LM and SEM. The specific target of the present study is to evaluate the taxonomic value of the macro and micromorphological characters of stamens and pollen grains in order to distinguish between the studied species. The obtained results showed remarkable variations in anther shape, anther dehiscence, filament attachment and presence of trichomes on the anther filament. Pollen grains are radially symmetrical, isopolar, spheroidal-subprolate to prolate, with amb angulaperturate or fossaperturate and tricolpate or tricolporate. Tectum is microreticulate, reticulate with perforated lumine and clavate exine ornamentation. Out of the studied taxa Coris monspeliensis is distinguished by the presence of prominent margo, reticulate exine ornamentation, minute luminal perforations decreasing towards the colpi, orbicular anther shape, latrorse dehiscence of anthers with short longitudinal slit and presence of glandular diseriate trichomes at the base of the filaments. Clavate exine ornamentation as well as lanceolate anther shape, extrorse dehiscence and short filament can distinguished Samolus valerandi from the remaining studied taxa. An artificial key for the studied species was constructed based on stamens and pollen morphological criteria is provided.

A taxonomic revision of the genus Glaucium (Papaveraceae) in Iran

Abstract A taxonomic revision of the genus Glaucium (Papaveraceae) in Iran is presented. It reveals the presence of 10 species including 4 subspecies and 14 varieties. Two new taxa are described: G. yazdianum and G. vitellinum var. pilosum. G. yazdianum is related to G. calycinum in general, but is differentiated by shape and cellular structure of trichomes on young fruits and sepals, the shape of filaments and stem leaves and finally the length of siliquae and buds. Pollen and leaf epidermis morphology of these two species are compared, keeping this criterion in mind. G. pulchrum, G. elegantissimum and G. golestanicum are treated here as synonyms of G. oxylobum. An identification key to the genus Glaucium in Iran and for each taxon a morphological description and notes on their distribution and habitats are presented.

Leaflet trichome micromorphology in the Dolentes-Brevipedes taxonomic complex (Mimosa L., Mimosoideae)

Fil: Grohar, Mariana Cecilia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biologia Experimental; Argentina

Analyses of Black Grouse (Tetrao tetrix) faeces with infrared spectroscopic methods

In recent years, the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to assess the diet, digestibility or nutritional values of food items of ruminants. However, it has never been used to analyse the diet of grouse species. Commonly used methods have so far been direct observations of birds and microscopical analyses of droppings. The sample preparation and comparison of microscopical analyses is a highly time-consuming procedure. The comparison is based on morphological structures of epidermal cells, like the shape of cells, stomata or trichomes. In contrast, the sample preparation for the FT-IR and the subsequent measuring is simple and quickly done. We investigated the diet of Black Grouse (Tetrao tetrix L.) in two study areas with infrared spectroscopic methods comparing summer and winter droppings’ content with plant reference material. The study areas are located in the provinces of Salzburg and Upper Austria, Austria. In our study, samples were measured in the mid- and near-infrared range. We tried to determine the dominating content of faecal samples at species, genera or family level or at least to assign samples to one of four main plants groups (i.e. woody plants, heathers, herbs and grasses). Our results showed a dominance of Larix decidua within the group of woody plants in both areas and, within the group of heathers, a dominance of Calluna vulgaris and Rhododendron hirsutum in one study area. Partially, our results are in marked contrast to other studies conducted in the Alps, as Vaccinium myrtillus was not detected in the samples. For further methodological studies, faecal sampling over larger areas, larger samples of plant reference material (including seeds and other parts of plants at different seasons), taking more samples per dropping and synchronous comparisons of microscopic analyses as well as FT-IR spectroscopy, are recommended.

The insect gall collection of the Museu Nacional/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro: biome cerrado, rupestrian fields.

An inventory of the insect gall from Brazilian savanna (Cerrado) was elaborated based on samples of the collection of the Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Data on localities and host plants were obtained from the labels and information about the gall morphology (plant organ of occurrence, shape, and presence of trichomes) by observing the samples. The galling species was determined based on the literature. The collection includes 131 morphotypes of galls from Cerrado, obtained from 71 host plant species distributed in 50 genera and 30 botanical families (Table 1). All galls were collected in rupestrian fields (a rare vegetation physiognomy of the Brazilian Cerrado) in the state of Minas Gerais. As the collection comprises a great diversity of insect galls, it can be considered representative of this physiognomy.

Comparative Study of Silicified Trichomes of Some Luffa Mill. Species

This study is an attempt to evaluate silicified trichomes and trichome bases in the Genus Luffa Mill. as a supportive tool for investigators working in various fields utilizing phytolith analysis. Systematic description of phytoliths in family Cucurbitaceae is scarce. Leaf samples of three species of genus Luffa Mill. viz., L. acutangula, L. cylindrica and L. hermaphrodita were taken for phytolith study and analysed morphometrically. Results indicate significant diversity in morphotype, shape and size of trichomes in all the three species, reflecting taxonomic significance.

Myosins XI-K, XI-1, and XI-2 are required for development of pavement cells, trichomes, and stigmatic papillae in Arabidopsis

BackgroundThe positioning and dynamics of vesicles and organelles, and thus the growth of plant cells, is mediated by the acto-myosin system. In Arabidopsis there are 13 class XI myosins which mediate vesicle and organelle transport in different cell types. So far the involvement of five class XI myosins in cell expansion during the shoot and root development has been shown, three of which, XI-1, XI-2, and XI-K, are essential for organelle transport.ResultsSimultaneous depletion of Arabidopsis class XI myosins XI-K, XI-1, and XI-2 in double and triple mutant plants affected the growth of several types of epidermal cells. The size and shape of trichomes, leaf pavement cells and the elongation of the stigmatic papillae of double and triple mutant plants were affected to different extent. Reduced cell size led to significant size reduction of shoot organs in the case of triple mutant, affecting bolt formation, flowering time and fertility. Phenotype analysis revealed that the reduced fertility of triple mutant plants was caused by delayed or insufficient development of pistils.ConclusionsWe conclude that the class XI myosins XI-K, XI-1 and XI-2 have partially redundant roles in the growth of shoot epidermis. Myosin XI-K plays more important role whereas myosins XI-1 and XI-2 have minor roles in the determination of size and shape of epidermal cells, because the absence of these two myosins is compensated by XI-K. Co-operation between myosins XI-K and XI-2 appears to play an important role in these processes.

Taxonomic treatment of medicinally important arboreal flora of tropical and subtropical region based on leaf epidermal anatomical markers

Identification of medicinally important arboreal flora is important for sustainable and effective utilization. However phenotypic markers are insufficient for correct identification. Therefore present study was conducted for taxonomic evaluation of the selected sixteen tropical and subtropical medicinally important arboreal species, belonging to four orders and six angiosperm families based on leaf epidermal anatomical markers. The experiment was performed in the molecular taxonomy Laboratory, Department of Botany, Lahore College for Women University, Jail Road Lahore, Pakistan. The results of present investigations showed substantial variation in size, shape and arrangement of epidermal cells, stomata and trichomes. Eight different shapes of stomata; anomcytic, anomotetracytic, actinocytic, amphianisocytic, brachyparacytic, anisocytic, amphicyclocytic and stauricytic were observed. Anomotetracytic was the most dominant type of stomata observed in trees of tropical and subtropical region. Staurocytic stomata were found in Erythrina subrosa L. The variation was also found in number and shape of subsidiary cells and silica bodies. The present study concluded that leaf epidermal anatomical markers could be utilized significantly in delimiting the closely related taxa of medicinally important arboreal flora of tropical and sub tropical regions. Key words: Leaf epidermal anatomy, anomyctic, anomotetracytic, actinocytic, amphian isocytic, brachyparacytic, anisocytic, amphicyclocytic, trichomes.

Histological Study of Some Echium vulgare, Pulmonaria officinalis and Symphytum officinale Populations

Plants living in different ecological habitats can show significant variability in their histological and phytochemical characters. The main histological features of various populations of three medicinal plants from the Boraginaceae family were studied. Stems, petioles and leaves were investigated by light microscopy in vertical and transverse sections. The outline of the epidermal cells, as well as the shape and cell number of trichomes was studied in leaf surface casts. Differences were measured among the populations of Echium vulgare in the width and height of epidermis cells in the stem, petiole and leaf, as well as in the size of palisade cells in the leaves. Among the populations of Pulmonaria officinalis significant differences were found in the length of trichomes and in the slightly or strongly wavy outline of epidermal radial cell walls. Populations of Symphytum officinale showed variance in the height of epidermal cells in leaves and stems, length of palisade cells and number of intercellular spaces in leaves, and the size of the central cavity in the stem. Boraginaceae bristles were found to be longer in plants in windy/shady habitats as opposed to sunny habitats, both in the leaves and stems ofP. officinalis and S. officinale, which might be connected to varying levels of exposure to wind. Longer epidermal cells were detected in the leaves and stems of both E. vulgare and S. officinale plants living in shady habitats, compared with shorter cells in sunny habitats. Leaf mesophyll cells were shorter in shady habitats as opposed to longer cells in sunny habitats, both in E. vulgare and S. officinale. This combination of histological characters may contribute to the plant's adaptation to various amounts of sunshine. The reported data prove the polymorphism of the studied taxa, as well as their ability to adapt to various ecological circumstances.

Chave de identificação de espécies do estrato arbóreo da Mata Atlântica em Ubatuba (SP), com base em caracteres vegetativos

A chave de identificação foi elaborada com base no material herborizado das espécies do estrato arbóreo amostradas com pelo menos 4,8 cm de DAP, em dois trechos de Floresta Ombrófila Densa Submontana. Foram utilizadas apenas características morfológicas vegetativas, como a filotaxia, forma das folhas, presença ou ausência de estípulas, indumento e glândulas, dentre outros aspectos relevantes para a identificação das espécies, e observações de campo. A chave consta de 193 espécies (4 indeterminadas), distribuídas em 114 gêneros e 50 famílias botânicas, e uma versão eletrônica interativa está disponível para consulta on line (http://www.gama.ib.unicamp.br/gama/index.php ).

Foliar epidermal anatomy of some ethnobotanically important species of genus Ficus Linn.

The main objective of this paper is the detailed morphological study of leaf epidermis of Genus Ficus (Moraceae). The study based on the micro characters of leaf epidermis of some species of Ficus collected from Pakistan. The study revealed the many interesting epidermal features of leaves that have not previously been reported before and has been conducted first time. No published details are available of such comprehensive foliar anatomical studies of following species of genus Ficus L. species has been conducted first time. Note the measurements, shape and type of the leaf epidermal cells including pavement cells, stomata and shape of guard cell pairs, trichomes and ornamentation of cuticular membrane. Pavement cells are often polygonal and irregular. Among the species the F. virens has larger pavement cells as well as stomata as compare to other species. Whereas there are little variations represented in qualitative and quantitative characters among the species of same genus. Stomata are paracytic except in F. nerrifolia and F. callosoa and are restricted on abaxial surface. Trichomes present in some species mostly are unicellular and non-glandular with bulbous base. Cuticular membrane is mostly smooth and pubescent. And in some species peltate glands also observed. Key words: Ficus, anatomy, trichome, stomata, pavement cells and species.

Cover Picture: J. Basic Microbiol. 2/2009

AbstractMorphological diversity among Anabaena isolates from major agro‐ecologies of India, depicting the heterogeneity in shape, size and colour of cells and trichomes. Shown are Anabaena type strain, coiled filaments (A. circinalis), pointed end cell (A. spiroides), double heterocysts (A. iyengarii), heterocysts (A. aphanizomenoides), large, oval and boat shaped akinetes (A. flos‐aquae, A. anomala, A. naviculoides), in‐situ germination of akinetes (A. sphaerica) and a series of akinetes (A. variabilis var. ellipsospora). Scale bar = 40 μm (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Morphological and physiochemical characterisation ofCalothrixstrains

A set of thirty Calothrix strains, isolated from diverse geographical regions of India, were characterised using morphological and physiological attributes. Significant differences were observed among the Calothrix strains with regard to the shape and size of trichomes and individual cells within a filament, besides the activities of the enzymes involved in nitrogen metabolism. Informative morphological and physiochemical characters have been identified that could aid in differentiation and utilisation of Calothrix strains as bioinoculants or as sources of pigments.

Arabidopsis thaliana myosin XIK is involved in root hair as well as trichome morphogenesis on stems and leaves

Myosins form a large superfamily of molecular motors that move along actin filaments. The functions of myosins in plant cells are thought to be related to various processes: cell division, movement of mitochondria and chloroplasts, cytoplasmic streaming, rearrangement of transvacuolar strands, and statolith positioning. Class VIII and XI myosins are represented in the Arabidopsis thaliana genome by 4 and 13 potential genes, respectively. The roles of individual class XI myosins and their cellular targets in A. thaliana are still unclear. In this work we implemented a reverse genetic approach to analyse the loss-of-function mutants of XIK, a representative of class XI myosins in A. thaliana. Three different T-DNA insertion mutants in the myosin XIK gene showed similar phenotypes: impaired growth of root hair cells, twisted shape of stem trichomes, and irregular size, branch positioning, and branch expansion of leaf trichomes. Morphometric analysis of mutant seedlings showed that the average length of root hairs was reduced up to 50% in comparison with wild-type root hairs, suggesting an involvement of the class XI myosin XIK in tip growth. On leaves, the proportion of trichomes with short branches was doubleed in mutant plants, and the mutant trichomes possessed a mildly twisted shape. Therefore, we concluded that myosin XIK is involved also in the elongation of stalks and branches of trichomes.