Leaf anatomy of six arboreal eudicotyledons species growing along an altitudinal gradient on the high basin of the Tocuyo river, Venezuela

Foliar Functional Traits of Resource Island-Forming Nurse Tree Species from a Semi-Arid Ecosystem of La Guajira, Colombia

“…Similarly, P. dulce has a hypostomatic leaf with paracytic stomata. These traits were also observed by García and Torrecilla [78] and Alvarado et al [79]. Furthermore, H. brasiletto and P. dulce leaves had a similar mesophyll structure, with a dorsiventral organization and a compact mesophilic structure that corresponded to thin leaves typical of sclerophyll leaves adapted to semi-arid environments [17,80,81].…”

“…Likewise, the presence of sclerenchyma reduces wilting and provides support, rigidity, and stability to the tissue, preventing cell collapse during periods of drought [35,36,39]. Alvarado et al [79] also reported sclerenchyma in P. dulce leaves. On the other hand, the presence of cuticle, as identified in P. dulce, provides a barrier to avoid the loss of excessive water via transpiration and damage from a high incidence of sunlight [82,83].…”

Morphoanatomical Characteristics in Riparian Vegetation and Its Adaptative Value

“…Therefore, these xeromorphic leaves allow trees to cope with the drought during the non-waterlogging phase [69]. In riparian species that are not periodically flooded both mesomorphic and xeromorphic adaptations may occur [71].…”

“…The riparian species Guazuma ulmifolia and Sapium glandulosum have contrasting histological characteristics in the leaf blade [71] and also in the midrib and petiole (Figure 3). G. ulmifolia shows higher density of xylem vessels (narrow diameter) and a greater development of sclerenchyma (Figure 3A, B) than S. glandulosum (Figure 3C, D) on both midrib and petiole.…”

“…These traits are associated with xeromorphic leaves [72,73] because they can maximize the efficiency of water transport into the leaf and prevent foliar collapse under drought conditions [74]. These anatomical differences can help explain the environments in which they grow: S. glandulosum frequently inhabits floodplains and swampy areas [75,76] whilst G. ulmifolia has been reported in both floodplains [77,78] and dry and intervened areas [71,79]. Furthermore, the secretory cavities in the midrib and petiole of G. ulmifolia (Figure 3A, B) accumulate a mucilage that can retain water [41] and has also been associated with a defense mechanism against biotic stressors [80].…”