No abstract

Earlier investigators established that a finger‐like colleter with elongate axial cells and a palisade epidermis is the standard type in the Rubiaceae. This type, with some variation, also prevails in Psychotria, based on a worldwide anatomical survey of vegetative buds from herbarium specimens of 296 species (about 50 % of total). It is virtually the only type found outside of continental Africa. Among African species, it is most common in subgenus Psychotria, with mostly nodule‐free species. In subgenus Tetramerae, with only leaf‐nodulated species, there is a strong tendency toward brushlike and dendroid colleters in which epidermal cells are extremely elongate and separated from each other. It is speculated that this change in colleter morphology associated with presence of nodule bacteria may be correlated with a change in secretion product more suitable for support of bacteria. Three morphological forms of crystal occur: raphides, styloids, clustered crystals. They may occur singly or in combination. Several patterns and trends were noted in crystal distribution that could be of taxonomic significance.

No abstract

No abstract

Mucilage‐secreting dendroid trichomes develop from the adaxial epidermis of young stipules surrounding the shoot apex. Each trichome consists of a multicellular stalk from which radiate many branch cells. The trichome has no cuticle and the branch cell walls distally are loose cellulosic frameworks. Dictyosomes produce vesicles whose products are secreted through the plasma‐lemma and cell wall. Enlarged portions of the ER are frequently associated with dictyosomes and may be part of the system for synthesis and transport of secretion products. Bacteria, which later occur in leaf nodules, are present in the mucilage surrounding trichomes and young leaves. The latter develop stomata through which the bacteria enter. As stipules and leaves grow out of the apical region, the secretory trichomes degenerate and are replaced by non‐secretory ones.