Morphoanatomy of the vegetative organs of Wunderlichia azulensis Maguire & G. M. Barroso (Asteraceae) from a rocky outcrop in northern Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

• Autor(a) principal: Trindade, Fernanda Gomes
• Data de Publicação: 2022
• Outros Autores: Feitoza, Rodrigo Barbosa Braga, Cunha, Maura da
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Biotemas (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.ufsc.br/index.php/biotemas/article/view/90460
• topic: Inselberg; Micromorphology; Xeromorphic adaptations; Xylopodium; Adaptações xeromórficas; Inselberg; Micromorfologia; Xilopódio

Wunderlichia (Asteraceae) species are endemic to central and eastern Brazil, usually found on rocky outcrops, and subjected to high sun irradiation and temperatures. Such conditions suggest multiple xeromorphic adaptations on the internal structure of Wunderlichia azulensis. This study aimed to characterize the morphoanatomy of vegetative parts of W. azulensis. Roots, stems, and leaves were collected from the Itaoca massif, a rocky outcrop in Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil. The plant material was fixed, dehydrated, and embedded in plastic resin to make cross sections. Histochemical tests were conducted to identify the compound classes in W. azulensis leaf tissues and trichomes. The trichome morphology was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope. The roots exhibited a distinctive morphoanatomical structure and can be characterized as a xylopodium. The leaves had a set of anatomical adaptation traits, including epidermal cells with straight or slightly sinuous anticlinal walls, highly dense trichomes, and a subepidermal layer. Histochemical tests revealed phenolic compounds and essential oils in the mesophyll. This study contributed to the knowledge of anatomical adaptations of a rupicolous plant and its xeromorphic environment and suggests further studies are needed to better understand the root and stem structures of W. azulensis.