A Preliminary Survey of Foliar Sclerenchyma in Neotropical Loranthaceae

Abstract

SUMMARy the foliar sclerenchyma of all genera of neotropical Loranthaceae is surveyed by means of cleared leaves, using selected species. three general categories of sclerenchyma are recognized. Fibers may form discontinuous or continuous bundles associated with veins or, more rarely, occur as individual cells. Sclereids, often of the astrosclereid type, are present in varying concentrations, or may be absent. Cristarque cells are very common, and occasionally extremely abundant, but are lacking in several genera. the survey includes information on terminal tracheids which are almost invariably present. Attention is drawn to the systematic significance of sclerenchyma where warranted.

A new combination in Peristethium (Loranthaceae) expands the genus' range into the Amazon-Cerrado ecotone

“…The ultimate marginal veins incomplete ( Figure 2B). No fibers, crystaliferous cells or sclereids were observed in the leaf mesophyll, only terminal tracheids were found, differing from those observed by Kuijt (2012) and Kuijt and Lye (2005) in other species of Peristethium.…”

“…Leaf architecture terminology followed Hickey (1974) and Ellis et al (2009). To describe types of sclerenchyma cells, the terminology of Kuijt and Lye (2005) was followed.…”

Loranthaceae

“…The occurrence of foliar sclerenchyma as a taxonomic character was first emphasized in Oryctanthus (Kuijt 1961), where so-called stellate fiber bundles were thought to be diagnostic of the genus. In a more recent and more comprehensive survey, it was discovered that similar structures are present also in one or two Struthanthus species; however, its taxonomic importance in Oryctanthus was also clearly confirmed by Kuijt and Lye (2005a). In the same paper, many new observations were recorded on other types of sclerenchyma, especially those bearing crystals, and stellate sclereids.…”

Novos sinônimos e uma nova combinação em Pusillanthus (Loranthaceae)

“…Para a análise e descrição da arquitetura foliar, foram utilizados os termos básicos definidos por Hickey (1974) e Ellis et al (2009). Para os diferentes tipos de células esclerenquimatosas, empregou-se a terminologia de Kuijt & Lye (2005).…”

“…3E), traqueídes terminais angulares, última nervura marginal incompleta. A anatomia da folha também apresenta forte afinidade com as espécies de Cladocolea (Kuijt & Lye 2005). Os caracteres mais particulares das folhas são as nervuras secundárias basiflexas e a bainha de fibras discretas nas nervuras secundárias próximas à margem foliar (Fig.…”