Leaf and inflorescence peduncle anatomy: a contribution to the taxonomy of Rapateaceae

Abstract

The anatomy of leaves and inflorescence peduncles was studied in species of Monotrema (4), Stegolepis (1) and Saxofridericia (1), aiming to contribute to the taxonomy of Rapateaceae. The form and structure of leaf blade midrib and the form of the inflorescence peduncle are diagnostic characteristics for the studied species. Monotrema is distinguished by: epidermal and vascular bundle outer sheath cells containing phenolic compounds in both organs; leaf blade with palisade and spongy chlorenchyma, arm-parenchyma, and air canals between the vascular bundles; leaf sheath with phenolic idioblasts in the mesophyll; inflorescence peduncle with tabular epidermal cells and air canals in the cortex and pith. Such characteristics support the recognition of Monotremoideae, which includes Monotrema. Stegolepis guianensis is distinguished by thick-walled epidermal cells and a plicate chlorenchyma in both organs; leaf blade with subepidermal fiber strands in abaxial surface and a heterogeneous mesophyll; inflorescence peduncle with rounded epidermal cells, a hypodermis with slightly thick-walled cells, and a pith with isodiametric cells and vascular bundles. Saxofridericia aculeata is distinguished by papillate epidermal cells in both organs; unifacial leaf blade with subepidermal fiber strands in both surfaces and a regular chlorenchyma; leaf sheath with a hypodermis in both surfaces and fiber bundles in the mesophyll; inflorescence peduncle with an undefined cortex and a hypodermis with thick-walled cells. S. guianensis shares few characteristics with S. aculeata, supporting their placement in different tribes.