Morpho-anatomy of the subterranean system of Calea verticillata (Klatt) Pruski and Isostigma megapotamicum (Spreng.) Sherff - Asteraceae

Several herbaceous species from cerrado (savana like vegetation) have thickened subterranean systems, which may be of root and/or stem nature. These systems have bud shoot-forming potential, providing the sprout of new shoots after an adverse period, like a severe drought or a burning. The verification of the subterranean systems nature is extremely important to the correct terminology usage. This work aimed to present information about subterranean systems morphology and anatomy of Calea verticillata and Isostigma megapotamicum, placing emphasis on the shoot-buds development. The subterranean systems were collected from cerrado areas of São Paulo State. The anatomical structure in C. verticillata is of both stem and root nature, with self-grafting of both shoots and roots, whereas in I. megapotamicum, the anatomical structure is caulinar, with self-grafting of shoots. Both species are composed of xylopodium with a high bud shoot-forming potential, whose buds are exclusively formed in the cambium. Secretory ducts occur in these species. The microchemical test, accomplished with Sudan black B, stained the oily nature of the secretion. Crystals of inulin were visualized by polarized light in I. megapotamicum. The high bud shoot-forming potential, present in the subterranean systems of both species here analyzed, improves their survival perspectives when they are submitted to the cerrado adverse conditions, by providing the sprouting of new shoots in favourable periods.Várias espécies herbáceas do cerrado apresentam sistema subterrâneo espessado, esses podem ser de natureza radicular, caulinar ou mista. Esses sistemas muitas vezes possuem potencial gemífero, promovendo o rebrotamento de ramos aéreos após um período desfavorável do ambiente, como uma seca prolongada ou uma queimada. A verificação da natureza dos sistemas subterrâneos é de extrema importância para utilização correta da terminologia dos mesmos. O objetivo desse trabalho foi fornecer informações sobre a morfo-anatomia dos sistemas subterrâneos de Calea verticillata e Isostigma megapotamicum, com ênfase na formação de gemas caulinares. Os sistemas subterrâneos foram coletados em áreas do cerrado do Estado de São Paulo. As espécies apresentam sistema subterrâneo bastante complexo, com estrutura anatômica mista, lignificada, auto-enxertias de ramos e raízes e elevada capacidade gemífera, ambas espécies são providas de xilopódios e as gemas têm origem cambial. Foi verificada a presença de canais secretores em C. verticillata e em I. megapotamicum, originados a partir de células derivadas do câmbio vascular. O teste microquímico realizado com Sudan black B confirmou a natureza lipídica da secreção. Em I. megapotamicum foi verificada a presença de cristais de inulina sob luz polarizada. Os sistemas subterrâneos aumentam as chances de sobrevivência das duas espécies estudadas às condições adversas do cerrado, pois apresentam alto potencial gemífero, promovendo o rebrotamento de ramos aéreos durante a estação favorável.394

Anatomy and fructan distribution in vegetative organs of Dimerostemma vestitum (Asteraceae) from the campos rupestres

Among the compounds stored by plants, several functions are assigned to fructans, such as source of energy and protection against drought and extreme temperatures. In the present study we analyzed the anatomy and distribution of fructans in vegetative organs of Dimerostemma vestitum (Asteraceae), an endemic species from the Brazilian campos rupestres. D. vestitum has amphistomatic and pubescent leaves, with both glandular and non-glandular trichomes. In the basal aerial stem the medulla has two types of parenchyma, which differ from the apical portion. The xylopodium has mixed anatomical origin. Interestingly, although inulin-type fructans with high degree of polymerization were found in all analyzed organs except the leaves, the highest amount and maximum degree of polymerization were detected in the xylopodium. Inulin sphero-crystals were visualized under polarized light in the medulla and in the vascular tissues mainly in the central region of the xylopodium, which has abundant xylem parenchyma. Secretory structures accumulating several compounds but not inulin were identified within all the vegetative organs. The presence of these compounds, in addition to inulin, might be related to the strategies of plants to survive adverse conditions in a semi-arid region, affected seasonally by water restriction and frequently by fire

Morpho-anatomy and ontogeny of the underground system ofChrysolaena simplex (Less.) Dematt. (Asteraceae)

The occurrence of thickened underground systems in Asteraceae is widely reported in the literature. Given the great complexity of underground systems, which may originate from roots, stems, or both, morpho-anatomical analyses are essential to ensure the use of correct terminology. The goals of this study were to describe the morpho-anatomy and ontogeny, investigate the occurrence of secondary metabolites and evaluate the effects of seasonality on the underground system of Chrysolaena simplex (Less.) Dematt. Samples were studied using standard protocols of plant anatomy, scanning electron microscopy, histochemical and phytochemical. The underground system of C. simplex was categorised as a rhizophore which started from cotyledonary node. In adult individuals, with rhizophores completely developed, the primary roots degenerated and adventitious radicular systems are formed. The buds in the subterranean portions promote the rhizophore growing, and form aerial stems when exposed to light. Lipophilic droplets were evident in the parenchymatous cells of the cortex and pith, endodermis and buds. Inulin-type fructans were observed in the stem axis and buds of the rhizophore. The presence of buds, secondary metabolites and the storage of fructans and lipids in the rhizophore can be seen as adaptive traits