A further analysis of secretory structures of some taxa belonging to the genus Hypericum (Clusiaceae) in relation to the leaf vascular pattern

Abstract

IntroductionHypericum L. is a genus of the family Clusiaceae, belonging to the subfamily Hypericoideae (Cronquist, 1981). It includes more than 460 species that are spread throughout the world, and many are well represented in the Mediterranean and the near Middle East (Campbell & Delfosse, 1984). Recently, interest in this genus has increased because it is the source of a wide variety of compounds with biological activity (Nahrsted & Butterweck, 1997). The active ingredients derived from some species belonging to the Hypericum, particularly hypericin, hyperforin, and essential oils, are located in several unusual secretory structures known as black nodules, translucent glands, and secretory canals (

Flower and fruit structure of the endangered speciesPetagnaea gussonei(Sprengel) Rauschert (Saniculoideae, Apiaceae) and implications for its reproductive biology

“…For permanent slides, flower samples were fixed in FAA (90% ethanol, 5% formalin, 5% acetic acid) (Sass 1958), dehydrated in a graded ethanol series, stained by safranin, and then mounted in Canada balsam. Flowers were clarified according to the Fuchs' method (Fuchs 1963), avoiding the tissue maceration step in a dried oven at 608C, in order to better preserve the whole xylem pattern (Perrone et al 2013). All preparations were examined and photographed using a transmitted light microscope (LM) (Leica DMLS) and a stereomicroscope (SM) (Leica MZ12), while digital images were obtained by a NIKON DS-Fi1 camera.…”

Anatomical investigations on eleven Hypericum L. taxa

“…were studied leaf and stem anatomy of eight Hypericum species [10]. In addition, distribution of secretory structures and leaf vascular patterns in some species of the genus were investigated [11]. The translucent glands and secretory canals of the floral and vegetative parts of Hypericum perforatum L. was given from morphological, anatomical and histochemical points of view [12].…”