scholarly journals The structure of floral elements of Anchusa officinalis L. creating attractants for insects

2012 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirosława Chwil ◽  
Elżbieta Weryszko-Chmielewska
Keyword(s):  
Cell Walls ◽  
Lipid Droplets ◽  
Glandular Trichomes ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Epidermal Cells ◽  
Dark Violet ◽  
Sudan Iii ◽  
Light Effects ◽  
Anchusa Officinalis ◽  
Dark Pink

The present study involved the measurement of size and the micromorphology of the floral elements of <i>Anchusa officinalis</i> L. which are attractants for insects. The structure of the epidermis on the surface of the calyx, petals, throat scales, pistil and nectary were analysed using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For light microscopy observations, semi-permanent slides were prepared, which were treated with Lugol's iodine solution, Sudan III and fluoroglucine. The dark violet lobes of the corolla of <i>Anchusa officinalis</i>, with a velvety surface, and the throat scales, contrasting with them, belong to the most important optical attractants which lure insects from large distances. The dark pink colouring of the sepals additionally increases the attractiveness of the flowers. The epidermis covering the calyx formed different-sized non-glandular trichomes as well as glandular trichomes. The glandular trichomes were composed of a uni - or bicellular leg and a unicellular head. The colour of the corolla petals was determined by anthocyanins accumulated in the epidermal cells and in the more deeply situated parenchyma. The velvety surface was formed by the conical papillae, densely growing from the adaxial epidermis. The pink-violet throat scales with white hairs, covering the inlet to the tube of the corolla, were found at the inlet to the corolla throat. The longest trichomes on the surface of the scales were located in their lower and middle parts, whereas the shortest ones at their tips. The epidermis of the central part of the throat scales formed small papillae. The trichomes had thin cell walls, large vacuoles, numerous plastids and lipid droplets. The two-parted stigma of the pistil was covered by characteristic expanded outgrowths with wavy edges which performed the functions of structures facilitating the capture of pollen grains. As a result of the present study it was found that the structures affecting the attractiveness of the flowers, through various light effects within the corolla of <i>Anchusa officinalis</i>, include the papillae on the corolla surface, trichomes of the throat scales and the epidermal cells of the style. The trichomes of the scales can also be responsible for protecting pollen and nectar against rainfall.

scholarly journals Micromorphology of endemic Centaurea glaberrima subsp. divergens (Asteraceae)

2022 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Milan Gavrilović ◽  
Pedja Janaćković
Keyword(s):  
Cell Walls ◽  
Glandular Trichomes ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Involucral Bract ◽  
Epidermal Cells ◽  
Leaf Epidermis ◽  
Abaxial Surface ◽  
Reproductive Structures ◽  
Anomocytic Stomata ◽  
First Time

In this study, the micromorphology of the vegetative and reproductive structures of the endemic Centaurea glaberrima Tausch subsp. divergens (Vis.) Hayek (Asteraceae), using scanning electron microscope (SEM), is presented for the first time. Uniseriate whip-like non-glandular and biseriate glandular trichomes are found on the surface of all aboveground parts (stem, leaves, peduncles, involucral bract). On the adaxial leaf epidermis ribbed thickenings (striation pattern) of outer periclinal cell walls, slightly curved anticlinal cell walls and anomocytic stomata are noticed. Rugose abaxial surface with thorny protuberances of the involucral bract is documented. Corolla is glabrous with longitudinally parallel epidermal cells with distinct straight outline. Isopolar, radially symmetric and tricolporate microechinate pollen grains are seen. Short stylar hairs, without cuticular striations, are present along the outer sides of the style, while the inner sides (abaxial surface) constitute the papillate stigmatic surface. Microcharacters found in cypsela are as follows: slightly ribbed body; rotund base; lateral and concave insertion; short, unicellular curly acute trichomes; smooth epidermis; fine-sulcate ornamentation; rod shaped epidermal cells with short, obtuse end walls and straight anticlinal walls; poorly developed minutely dentate pericarp rim; and dimorphic pappus with bristles of different length and morphology, with pinnules restricted to the margins of the bristles. The results obtained contribute to knowledge about the micromorphology of the studied endemic species and provide features for its better identification. The taxonomic significance of the analyzed characters is discussed. Some well defined microcharacters of the studied species might have taxonomic value

scholarly journals Structure of the floral parts of Crocus vernus (L.) Hill.

2012 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 35-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elżbieta Weryszko-Chmielewska ◽  
Mirosława Chwil
Keyword(s):  
Glandular Trichomes ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Epidermal Cells ◽  
The Third ◽  
Flower Stem ◽  
Significant Length ◽  
Perianth Tube ◽  
Narrow Space ◽  
Parenchymal Cells

In the climatic conditions of Lublin, <i>Crocus vernus</i> blooms from the third decade of March until the third decade of April. The flowers live for 3-4 days. Micromorphological investigations of the tepals and perianth tube as well as of the stamens and pistil were carried out using scanning electron microscopy. The anatomical features of the perianth segments and flower stem were examined with the use of light and fluorescence microscopy. Pollen grains were observed under a light microscope. It was found that the adaxial and abaxial epidermal cells formed papillae in the middle and lower part of the tepals. Much smaller papillae are formed in the upper region of the perianth tube. Elongated non-glandular and glandular trichomes, with spherical protrusions at the tip, are found at the base of the filaments. The filaments are distinguished by epidermal cells with a longitudinally striated cuticle and by the presence of papillae of varying number and size. The cylindrical papillae on the stigma of the pistil are covered by a wrinkled cuticle. The style is surrounded by the perianth tube along a significant length. A narrow space is formed between these organs, and it is filled by the nectar. Stylar channels are found in the style. We observed calcium oxalate crystals and numerous plastids in the parenchymal cells surrounding these channels. Inaperturate, spherical pollen grains are covered by numerous tryphine (or pollenkitt) droplets. This paper also discusses the functions of the papillae found in the epidermis of the perianth and filaments.

scholarly journals Micromorphological study (ultrastructure of lamina surface, seeds, ultrasculpture of pollen grains) of Gladiolus L. species (Iridaceae Juss.) of Ukrainian flora

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 21-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svitlana L. Zhygalova ◽  
Oksana A. Futorna ◽  
Anatoliy Levanets
Keyword(s):  
Surface Structure ◽  
Seed Coat ◽  
Cell Walls ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Epidermal Cells ◽  
Diagnostic Feature ◽  
Diagnostic Features ◽  
Surface Ultrastructure ◽  
Genus Level

Abstract Micro-morphological characteristics of the four Gladiolus L. species of the Ukrainian flora (G. imbricatus L., G. italicus Mill., G. palustris Gaudin and G. tenuis M. Bieb.) as regards leaves, seeds and pollens are presented with this investigation in a detailed way. An examination of the surface structure of the leaves, seeds and pollen grains of the Gladiolus species indicates that the characteristics of the ultrastructure of leaves and of pollen grains are not diagnostic for distinguishing species, but they could be important at genus level (leaves: features such as being amphistomatic, having the same quantity of immersed stomata on both surfaces and having a high stomata index, the presence and localisation of papillae, the shape of epidermal cells; pollen grains: monosulcate type with two operculums). However, the type of surface ultrastructure of the seed coat is a diagnostic feature as at genus level so for species. It can be mentioned that propose the use of features such as the shape and position of the cicatricle, the type of cuticle, the shape and boundaries of cells of testa, and the anticlinal cell walls as diagnostic features at genera level. The shape of seeds, the presence and disposition of wing, the level of the periclinal cell walls of the seed coat and types of relief are additional diagnostic features for distinguishing of Gladiolus species.

scholarly journals Nectary structure in Symphyglossum sanguineum (Rchb.f. ) Schltr. (Orchidaceae)

2012 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Stpiczyńska ◽  
Kevin L. Davies
Keyword(s):  
Cell Walls ◽  
Lipid Droplets ◽  
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Middle Lamella ◽  
Epidermal Cells ◽  
Vascular Bundles ◽  
Remarkable Feature ◽  
Orchid Species ◽  
Nectary Structure ◽  
Micro Channels

Ornithophily occurs in a great number of orchid species but despite this, researchers have largely neglected to investigate their nectaries. The aim of this study is to describe the nectary structure of <i>Symphyglossum sanguineum</i>, a species presumed to be pollinated by hummingbirds. The nectary is located at the free margins of auricles, which form a channel for the passage of nectar. The nectary, which consists of a single-layered epidermis and 2-3 layers of subepidermal cells, is supplied by collateral, vascular bundles. The nectary cells of <i>S. sanguineum</i>, like those of other ornithophilous orchids, have thick cellulose cell walls. A remarkable feature of these nectary cells is the dissolution of the middle lamella and the subsequent separation of epidermal cells. It is possible that this latter process facilitates the flow of the nectar to the nectary surface. The cuticle covering the nectary epidermis has micro-channels, but unlike the other species of ornithophilous orchids studied to date, it neither becomes disrupted nor detached from the epidermal cells. Abundant mitochondria, lipid droplets and smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) with an osmiophilic material are present in the cytoplasm of nectary cells. Some plastids with few lamellae contain numerous vesicles and osmiophillic globules whereas others accumulate starch. SER lamellae are often closely associated with plastids and the contents of the former organelles closely resemble osmiophillic globules. Secretory vesicles are common, especially near the outer, tangential wall indicating that granulocrine secretion possibly occurs in <i>S. sanguineum</i>.

scholarly journals A preliminary leaf epidermal and pollen morphology of some West African species of Desplatsia Bocq

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel O. Shokefun ◽  
Abiodun E. Ayodele ◽  
Emuobosa A. Orijemie
Keyword(s):  
Cell Walls ◽  
Pollen Morphology ◽  
Glandular Trichomes ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
West African ◽  
Leaf Epidermis ◽  
Tropical Africa ◽  
African Species ◽  
Pollen Characters ◽  
Stomata Size

Desplatsia is a genus made up of about four to eight species which are mostly trees native to tropical Africa. The leaf and pollen characters of three West African species of Desplatsia were investigated using light microscopy. The study was aimed at investigating the leaf epidermis and pollen morphology of the species to further enhance the understanding of the taxonomic relationships in the genus. The epidermal cells were isodiametric, polygonal to irregular with straight, curved to wavy anticlinal cell walls. The species were hypostomatic with anisocytic and staurocytic stomata types. The adaxial and abaxial walls of Desplatsia chrysochlamywere characterised by three-celled head multicellular glandular trichomes with highest number of cells and stomata and striated adaxial surface. The four-armed branched and stellate trichomes with the largest stomata size of 19.5 µm × 15.6 µm distinguished D. dewevrei from D. subericarpa in which the largest cells, lowest number of stomata and size were recorded. The pollen grains were medium in size 26.5 µm–47.5 µm, tricolporate with long colpi. However, the subprolate, baculate exine surface, small ora and lumen width separated D. chrysochlamy from D. dewevrei and D. subericarpa in which prolate, perforated exine surface and colpi margo were recorded. A key is provided for the identification of the species. Therefore, the ora size, lumen width, number of epidermal cell and stomata are additional taxonomic characters that can be used for species delimitation in the genus.

scholarly journals Two Expansin Genes, AtEXPA4 and AtEXPB5, Are Redundantly Required for Pollen Tube Growth and AtEXPA4 Is Involved in Primary Root Elongation in Arabidopsis thaliana

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 249
Author(s):  
Weimiao Liu ◽  
Liai Xu ◽  
Hui Lin ◽  
Jiashu Cao
Keyword(s):  
Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽  
Pollen Tube ◽  
Pollen Tube Growth ◽  
Cell Walls ◽  
Root Elongation ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Primary Root ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Tube Growth ◽  
Cell Wall Binding

The growth of plant cells is inseparable from relaxation and expansion of cell walls. Expansins are a class of cell wall binding proteins, which play important roles in the relaxation of cell walls. Although there are many members in expansin gene family, the functions of most expansin genes in plant growth and development are still poorly understood. In this study, the functions of two expansin genes, AtEXPA4 and AtEXPB5 were characterized in Arabidopsis thaliana. AtEXPA4 and AtEXPB5 displayed consistent expression patterns in mature pollen grains and pollen tubes, but AtEXPA4 also showed a high expression level in primary roots. Two single mutants, atexpa4 and atexpb5, showed normal reproductive development, whereas atexpa4atexpb5 double mutant was defective in pollen tube growth. Moreover, AtEXPA4 overexpression enhanced primary root elongation, on the contrary, knocking out AtEXPA4 made the growth of primary root slower. Our results indicated that AtEXPA4 and AtEXPB5 were redundantly involved in pollen tube growth and AtEXPA4 was required for primary root elongation.

The epidermis in Passerina/ (Thymelaeaceae): structure, function and taxonomic significance

Bothalia ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. L. Bredenkamp ◽  
A. E. Van Wyk
Keyword(s):  
Cell Walls ◽  
Mediterranean Climate ◽  
High Light Intensity ◽  
Epidermal Cells ◽  
Cell Orientation ◽  
Abaxial Surface ◽  
Epidermal Structure ◽  
Interspecific Differences ◽  
Epidermal Features ◽  
Structural Adaptations

Epidermal features were studied in all 17 species of Passerina, a genus endemic to southern Africa. Leaves in Passerina are inversely ericoid, the adaxial surface concave and the abaxial surface convex. Leaves are inversely dorsiventral and epistomatic. The adaxial epidermis is villous, with unicellular, uniseriate trichomes and relatively small thin-walled cells, promoting flexibility of leaf margins owing to turgor changes. In common with many other Thymelaeaceae, abaxial epidermal cells are large and tanniniferous with mucilaginous cell walls. The cuticle is adaxially thin, but abaxially well devel­oped, probably enabling the leaf to restrict water loss and to tolerate high light intensity and UV-B radiation. Epicuticular waxes, present in all species, comprise both soft and plate waxes. Epidermal structure proves to be taxonomically impor­tant at family, genus and species levels. Interspecific differences include arrangement of stomata and presence or absence of abaxial epidermal hair. Other diagnostic characters of the abaxial epidermal cells are arrangement,size and shape, cutic- ular ornamentation and presence or absence of wax platelets. Two groups of species on the basis of abaxial epidermal cell orientation are recognised. Many leaf epidermal features in Passerina are interpreted as structural adaptations to the Mediterranean climate of the Cape.

Leaf micromorphology of the Persicaria sect. Cephalophilon (Polygonaceae) and its systematic re-evaluation

Phytotaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 391 (3) ◽  
pp. 167 ◽  
Author(s):  
MIN-JUNG KONG ◽  
SUK-PYO HONG
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Study ◽  
Cell Walls ◽  
Smooth Surface ◽  
Glandular Trichomes ◽  
Adaxial Side ◽  
Abaxial Side ◽  
Stomatal Size ◽  
Systematic Significance ◽  
Leaf Micromorphology ◽  
Anomocytic Stomata

A comparative study of the leaf microstructures of 19 taxa belonging to the Persicaria sect. Cephalophilon and related four Koenigia taxa was performed by LM and SEM to evaluate their systematic significance. Both amphistomatic and hypostomatic leaves were observed in the taxa studied. The stomatal size ranged from 17.04–41.96 × 13.41–37.30 μm, and stomata on the adaxial side were larger than those on the abaxial side in general. Anomocytic stomata occurred most commonly, but more than one type of stomata was observed on the same surface. Paracytic stomata was found in both Persicaria palmata and P. criopolitana. The epidermal cells usually have straight to sinuate anticlinal cell walls (ACW), and the ACW on the abaxial side of most taxa is much more undulated than that on the adaxial side. Cuticular striation was observed in most of the studied taxa, which was restricted to only the adaxial side. Two types of crystals were observed: druse and prismatic, and seven types of trichome were recognized: five types of non-glandular trichomes (stellate with smooth surface, multiseriate with either smooth or striated surface, and uniseriate with either smooth or papillose surface), and two types of glandular trichomes (peltate and long-stalked pilate). The leaf micromorphology in this study was categorized into five types based on the stomata, epidermis, crystal and trichome, as further systematic significance of the leaf epidermal characters within the P. sect. Cephalophilon are discussed. In addition, we propose a new taxonomic combination in the P. sect. Cephalophilon.

A new species and comparative morphology of Vesselowskya (Cunoniaceae)

2001 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew C. Rozefelds ◽  
Richard W. Barnes ◽  
Belinda Pellow
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Cell Walls ◽  
New South ◽  
Comparative Morphology ◽  
Epidermal Cells ◽  
The Other ◽  
Abaxial Surface ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Central Column ◽  
A New Species

The vegetative and reproductive morphology of Vesselowskya Pampanini, southern marara, is described and illustrated in detail. The variation within V. rubifolia (F.Muell.) Pampanini sens. lat. is shown to be greater than has previously been recognised, with the differences identified supporting the recognition of a new segregate species, V. venusta Rozefelds, R.W.Barnes and Pellow sp. nov. Vesselowskya venusta occurs in the Barrington Tops Plateau of New South Wales and differs from V. rubifolia in possessing hairs on the abaxial surface of the sepals and lacking both a prominent distal connective protrusion on the anthers and colleters at the base of the stipules. The two Vesselowskya species are dioecious with a vestigial ovary in staminate flowers and reduced stamens in pistillate flowers. Dioecy is more pronounced in Vesselowskya, than in some Weinmannia species, and in both genera is expressed through reduction in the size of the ovaries in staminate flowers, and stamens in pistillate flowers. Vesselowskya shares with the other genera in the tribe Cunonieae (Pancheria, Weinmannia and Cunonia), a central column in the fruits, and Cunonia-type stipules, but differs from these genera in having valvate aestivation, digitate leaves, craspedodromous secondary venation with secondary veins terminating at a tooth, tuft domatia along the midrib, adaxial epidermal cells with strongly sinuous cell walls and the absence of hydathodes.

scholarly journals Barleria gandhii, a new name for Barleria pauciflora (Acanthaceae)

Phytotaxa ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 204 (4) ◽  
pp. 300
Author(s):  
RAMALINGAM KOTTAIMUTHU
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Calcium Oxalate ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Epidermal Cells ◽  
Calcium Oxalate Crystals ◽  
Tropical Africa ◽  
New Name ◽  
Oxalate Crystals

Barleria Linnaeus (1753: 636) is a pantropical genus comprising about 250–300 species (Balkwill & Balkwill 1998, Darbyshire et al. 2012), with its greatest centre of species diversity in tropical Africa, followed by South Africa and Asia (Balkwill & Balkwill 1998, Darbyshire 2010). It can be easily distinguished from other genera of Acanthaceae by a combination of three characters: a 4-partite calyx with 2 large outer (anterior and posterior) segments and 2 smaller inner (lateral) ones, spheroidal, pollen grains with coarsely reticulate exine and the predominance of double cystoliths (calcium oxalate crystals) in the epidermal cells (Balkwill & Balkwill 1997, Champluvier 2011, Darbyshire 2010).

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