Leaf anatomy of Polygonaceae (Angiospermae) from the upper Paraná river floodplain

Abstract

Leaf anatomy of the following Polygonaceae Polygonum acuminatum, P. ferrugineum, P. hydropiperoides, P. meisnerianum, P. punctatum, P. stelligerum, Ruprechtia laxiflora and Triplaris Americana was carried out as an aid towards the identification of these species found in the upper Paraná river floodplain. The leaf blade structure in transversal section, veins, stoma and epidermal trichome were compared. The genera Polygonum, Ruprechtia and Triplaris are easily distinguishable through their anatomical features: stomatal types, glandular trichomes, surface and edge non-glandular trichome, fimbria vein and epidermal idioblasts. Polygonum species are distinguishable through non-glandular trichomes, epidermal cavity and, with some difficulty, through areolas and veinlets