LEAF HAIRS IN ENCELIA (ASTERACEAE)

Four different kinds of leaf hairs occur in Encelia species. These are unicellular-based and multicellular-based uniseriate hairs, moniliform hairs, and biseriate glandular hairs. The unicellular-based uniseriate hairs appear responsible for increased leaf spectral reflectance by species within the genus. In particular, it appears that elongation of the distal cell of the uniseriate hair is necessary for increased leaf reflectance.     

Epidermal hair morphology in Solatium L. section Solatium

Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine stem, leaf, staminal and stylar hairs on species belonging to Solanum L. section Solanum. The surface morphology of these hairs is illustrated. Simple, uniseriate hairs characterize the section Solanum , and these may have eglandular or glandular heads; they are usually multicellular, but in some species the stylar hairs appear to be unicellular. In addition, stalked glands, described here as spherical, four-celled glands, are universally present in species belonging to the section Solanum.     

Epidermal hair morphology in Solanum L. section Solanum

Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine stem, leaf, staminal and stylar hairs on species belonging to Solanum L. section Solanum. The surface morphology of these hairs is illustrated. Simple, uniseriate hairs characterize the section Solanum, and these may have eglandular or glandular heads; they are usually multicellular, but in some species the stylar hairs appear to be unicellular. In addition, stalked glands, described here as spherical, four-celled glands, are universally present in species belonging to the section Solanum.     

臭椿不同发育阶段叶片表面结构特征

利用光学显微镜和扫描电子显微镜技术,对臭椿(Ailanthus altissima(Mill.)Swingle)叶片从叶芽到成熟叶4个发育阶段(叶芽、幼叶、近成熟叶和成熟叶)的4种叶表面结构(表皮毛、气孔器、角质层、腺体)进行了详细地观察和比较。结果显示:叶片上、下表面具单细胞非腺毛和头状腺毛两种表皮毛,其密度在叶芽阶段最大,之后随着叶片的生长和展开表皮毛密度逐渐降低;气孔器主要分布于下表面,叶片近成熟时气孔器密度最大;角质层具有条纹状结构,其隆起程度在近成熟叶阶段达到最大;叶片基部两侧具锯齿状突起,每个突起上有一个腺体,腺体发育成熟后可分泌透明黏液。说明叶片表面各结构特征是臭椿对环境长期适应的结果。     

Silica deposition in abaxial epidermis before the opening of leaf blades of Pleioblastus chino (Poaceae, Bambusoideae)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Silica deposition is one of the important characteristics of the family Poaceae. The distribution, deposition process and physiology of silica in this family have been extensively investigated. Bamboos among members of Poaceae have leaves with a fairly long life span, and the leaves continuously accumulate silica in their tissues throughout their life, not only during the course of leaf opening, but also after opening. It has been revealed that the silica deposition process in relation to ageing of the bamboo leaf after opening differed depending on the cell types comprising the tissues. However, silica deposition has never been examined during the development and maturation periods of bamboo leaves. Hence, to clarify the silica deposition process in a developmental stage of the bamboo leaf, distribution of silica was observed in the abaxial epidermis before the opening of the leaf blades of Pleioblastus chino. METHODS: Abaxial epidermal tissues of leaves were examined using a scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray microanalyser. KEY RESULTS: Among seven cell types comprising the abaxial epidermis, three types of cells, guard cells, prickle hairs and silica cells, deposited silica conspicuously, and another four types, cork cells, long cells, micro hairs and subsidiary cells, deposited only a little silica. Among the former group of cell types, silica cells and guard cells deposited silica over their entire surfaces, while prickle hairs deposited silica only in the point-tips. Silica deposition was detected firstly in prickle hairs, and then in silica cells and guard cells. Only silica cells were assumed to deposit silica conspicuously before leaf opening but not conspicuously after opening. CONCLUSIONS: Cell types in leaf epidermis of bamboo are classified into three groups according to the silica deposition pattern. Silica deposition in silica cells may be positive as a part of the physiological activities of leaves.     

Leaf glands act as nectaries in Diplopterys pubipetala (Malpighiaceae)

Leaf glands of Diplopterys pubipetala were studied with light and electron microscopy. Aspects of their secretion, visitors and phenology were also recorded. Glands occur along the margin, at the apex and at the base of the leaf blade. All the glands begin secretion when the leaf is still very young, and secretion continues during leaf expansion. The highest proportion of young leaves coincides with the beginning of flowering. The glucose‐rich secretion is collected by Camponotus ants, which patrol the newly formed vegetative and reproductive branches. All the glands are sessile, partially set into the mesophyll, and present uniseriate epidermis subtended by nonvascularised parenchyma. The glands at the apex and base are larger and also consist of vascularised subjacent parenchyma. The cytoplasm of epidermal and parenchyma cells has abundant mitochondria, polymorphic plastids filled with oil droplets and a few starch grains. Golgi bodies and endoplasmic reticulum are more abundant in the epidermal cells. The parenchyma cells of the subjacent region contain chloroplasts and large vacuoles. Plasmodesmata connect all the nectary cells. The zinc iodide–osmium tetroxide (ZIO) method revealed differences in the population of organelles between epidermal cells, as well as between epidermal cells and parenchyma cells. Ultrastructural results indicate that leaf glands of D. pubipetala can be classified as mixed secretory glands. However, the secretion released by these glands is basically hydrophilic and composed primarily of sugars, hence these glands function as nectaries.     

东北桤木叶表皮盾状腺毛的形态及其变化过程

利用电镜扫描技术,观察东北桤木叶片表面,发现其远轴面表皮上具有盾状腺毛。其由2个基细胞、4个柄细胞和20～25个头部细胞组成,随着分泌物质的积累,细胞逐渐破裂。幼叶远轴面表皮无盾状腺毛,仅有气孔分布。观察东北桤木叶片横切面,发现其为异面叶,远轴面表皮上的盾状腺毛细胞与叶脉维管组织相连。外文资料显示用于表述桤木属表皮上的盾状腺毛的名词较多,该毛状体应为“Peltate glandular hairs”。同时建议对“Glandular scales”、“Peltate gland”、“Peltate scale”、“Peltate glandular hairs”等名词进行规范统一。另外有关东北桤木叶表皮上毛状体从原表皮细胞的发生过程及其分泌物的成份,需进一步研究。     

光果甘草营养器官结构及其总黄酮的组织化学定位和含量研究

应用植物解剖学、组织化学和植物化学方法,对光果甘草各营养器官的结构、总黄酮的组织化学定位和含量差异进行了研究.结果显示:(1)光果甘草叶为异面叶,由表皮、叶肉和叶脉组成.叶表皮具腺毛,叶肉中具胶囊细胞,主脉发达;茎由表皮(周皮)、皮层、维管柱组成,其髓中具有粘液细胞;根由周皮、次生维管组织组成,周皮具厚木栓层,次生维管组织中次生木质部和纤维发达.(2)黄酮类物质在叶中分布在表皮、腺毛、胶囊细胞、厚角组织和韧皮部和木质部中的薄壁细胞中;茎中分布在周皮、韧皮部和粘液细胞中;在根中则分布在周皮中.(3)不同营养器官中黄酮类物质含量存在差异:叶＞根茎＞主根＞茎.(4)温度的下降促使黄酮类物质从地上合成器官向地下储藏器官的转运.建议每年可在果熟期和枯萎期之间采挖药材,地上部分收割也作药用,综合利用光果甘草资源.     

Photosynthetic Characteristics of Portulaca grandiflora, a Succulent C(4) Dicot : CELLULAR COMPARTMENTATION OF ENZYMES AND ACID METABOLISM

The succulent, cylindrical leaves of the C₄ dicot Portulaca grandiflora possess three distinct green cell types: bundle sheath cells (BSC) in radial arrangement around the vascular bundles; mesophyll cells (MC) in an outer layer adjacent to the BSC; and water storage cells (WSC) in the leaf center. Unlike typical Kranz leaf anatomy, the MC do not surround the bundle sheath tissue but occur only in the area between the bundle sheath and the epidermis. Intercellular localization of photosynthetic enzymes was characterized using protoplasts isolated enzymatically from all three green cell types.     

A comparative study of the integument of the camel, Dorcas gazelle and jerboa in relation to desert life

Comparative histological studies of the integuments of the Dorcas gazelle, jerboa and camel have revealed the presence of tubular sweat glands in the skin of the Dorcas gazelle and the camel but not in the jerboa.
Hairs occur in groups in the skin of jerboa and camel but occur singly in the Dorcas gazelle where they are of two types; short under hairs and long covering hairs. Each hair follicle is associated with a sebaceous gland. Both the unkeratinized epidermis and its horny layer are comparatively thin in the jerboa and gazelle, and in dry air this may permit greater loss of water by transpiration than in the camel which has a comparatively thick epidermis.     

MORPHOLOGY,SEASONAL VARIATION,AND FUNCTION OF RESIN GLANDS ON BUDS AND LEAVES OF POPULUS DELTOIDES (SALICACEAE)

When buds form in summer or early fall, modified stipules act as bud scales and their adaxial epidermis secretes a resin that fills the bud. This secretory layer collapses in the dormant bud. Immature leaves, stipules, and leaf primordia occupy the center of the bud; all lack functional resin glands. In spring, stipules of emerging leaves develop an adaxial palisadelike secretory epidermis that becomes more ridged longitudinally in successive stipules. Marginal teeth of the first leaves to emerge are covered with trichomes and lack a secretory epidermis. In successive leaves the teeth become glandular and secrete resin as the lamina unrolls. Later in the season, marginal leaf glands account for much of the resin. Unspecialized hydathodes or extrafloral nectaries occur proximal to each glandular tip. Guttation of water or nectar occurs here through stomata located above a vein ending. On the basis of field observations and a laboratory feeding experiment, the resin seems to function mainly as an insect repellent. It may also reduce water loss from young leaves.     

Contemporary seasonal and altitudinal variations of leaf structural features in oregano (Origanum vulgare L.)

The effects of elevation (200, 950 and 1760 m) and season (April-October) on leaf morphological, anatomical, ultrastructural, morphometrical and photosynthetic parameters were studied in Origanum vulgare plants. Observations aimed at the determination of the alterations in leaf structure and function associated with differential growth and adaptation of plants. Raising elevation results in a progressive decrease of plant height. During the growing period, summer plants are taller than spring and autumn plants at all elevations examined. In high-altitude populations (O. vulgare ssp. vulgare), the blade size becomes reduced in June leaves as compared with October leaves, while it does not change remarkably in low-altitude populations (O. vulgare ssp. hirtum). Leaf thickness remains more or less stable during the growing period. Expanded leaves in June and October at 200 m elevation contain dark phenolics only in their epidermis, whereas leaves of August are densely filled with phenolics in all of their tissues. In June at 1760 m elevation, leaves are devoid of phenolics, which, however, occur in the epidermis of the leaves in August and October. At higher altitudes, larger mesophyll chloroplasts with more starch grains are present in June leaves, whereas in August and October leaves chloroplasts are smaller with fewer starch grains. Leaf stomata and non-glandular hairs increase in number from the lowland to the upland habitats, whereas glandular hairs decrease in number. During the growing season, the density of stomata and of glandular and non-glandular hairs progressively increases. In the low- and mid-altitude oregano populations, leaf chlorophyll a content and PSII activity significantly increase in October, whereas they simultaneously decrease in the high-altitude population, suggesting a phenomenon of chilling-induced photoinhibition. The highest photochemical efficiency of PSII appears in the mid-altitude population (having characteristics intermediate between those of O. vulgare ssp. hirtum and ssp. vulgare) where environmental conditions are more favourable. This conclusion is also confirmed by the observation that the 950 m O. vulgare population has larger and thicker leaves with highly developed palisade and spongy parenchymas.     

极小种群野生植物大树杜鹃的解剖结构研究

大树杜鹃(Rhododendron protistum var.giganteum)是杜鹃花科(Ericaceae)杜鹃属的常绿乔木,由于分布地域的局限性和资源的稀少性,该植物被列为我国首批极小种群野生植物保护名录。本文采用石蜡切片法和叶表皮装片法对大树杜鹃叶片、幼茎和根的解剖结构进行了研究,并利用扫描电镜对其种子表面纹饰、气孔以及叶毛被特征进行了观察。石蜡切片显微观察结果显示,大树杜鹃根的次生结构主要由周皮和维管柱组成,茎的解剖结构由表皮、皮层、韧皮部、木质部和髓组成;大树杜鹃的叶为异面叶,上表皮具角质层,气孔器只分布于下表皮,气孔器类型为无规则型,叶脉具发达的维管束鞘延伸区。扫描电镜观察结果发现,大树杜鹃叶片毛被由两层不同类型的毛组成,即上面一层为海绵状绒毛,下面一层为短的薄片状绒毛;种子具翅,有明显的背腹面之分,背腹面纵纹明显。该研究结果为进一步探明大树杜鹃的生物学特征、确定其系统分类位置和探讨其生境适应性提供了科学依据。     

两种忍冬属植物叶表皮扫描电镜观察及其生态适应性的研究

利用扫描电镜观察2种忍冬属植物的叶表皮形态特征,观察指标包括气孔器、表皮毛、表皮细胞等。扫描电镜观察结果表明:气孔仅分布在下表皮,气孔器散生并为无规则型;下表皮密被表皮毛(包括腺状毛和非腺毛);上表皮细胞的垂周壁呈沟槽状下陷;同时在下表皮还分布有瘤状的草酸钙簇晶。为进一步研究这2种忍冬属植物叶的形态解剖特征,通过光学显微镜观察发现,叶均为异面叶,栅栏组织发达,细胞长柱形;海绵组织细胞类圆形,排列紧密;叶脉机械组织发达。以上这些构造特征,都有利于减少植物体水分的散失,以适应我国西南岩溶区干旱环境特征。通过进一步分析电镜观察结果,发现在忍冬叶的上表皮中脉处有呈线状分布的腺状表皮毛,而华南忍冬叶的上表皮则无表皮毛分布,这一微形态特征可以作为二者种间特异性差别,从而为二者的合理区分提供一定的依据。     

Comparative epidermal morphology of West African species of Jatropha L.(Euphorbiaceae)

Leaf epidermal morphology of the eight species of Jatropha found in West Africa has been studied by both light and scanning electron microscopy. The cells of adaxial and abaxial epidermises are usually polygonal with either straight or curved anticlinal wallS. Wax occurs in some species in the form of either flakes, particles or plugs, while in others prominent cuticular striations are found which may be parallel or random. Paracytic and brachyparacytic stomata which may be superficial, or sunken with either narrow or wide cuticular rim occur on both surfaces of the abaxial surface only. Stomatal size varies both within and between taxa. Pubescent and glabrous species occur within the genus. Trichomes are either unicellular or uniseriate. The presence of stalked glands on leaf margins is unique to J.gossypiifolia. Evidence is presented to show the close relationship between J.neriifolia and J. Atacorenis. Other variable micromorphological characters of the epidermis include cell size, periclinal walls, distribution and density of trichomes. The taxonomic significance of these features in identification and elucidation of species affinity is discussed.     

四种旱生藓类植物的比较结构学观察

对新疆产的４种藓类植物茎、叶的表面及内部结构进行了观察,结果表明：尖叶大帽藓（Ｅｎｃａｌｙｐｔａ ｒｈａｂｄｏｃｕｒｐａ Ｓｃｈｗａｅｇｒ．）茎的中部结构类似于种子植物（单子叶）根的内皮层,其茎表皮也有类似于种子植物表皮毛（腺毛）的腺体。在阔叶紫萼藓（Ｇｒｉｍｍｉａ ｌａｅｖｉｇａｔａ（Ｂｒｉｄ．）Ｂｒｉｄ．）茎的中轴部,厚角组织发达,数层皮部厚壁组织也很发达。小石藓（Ｗｅｉｓｉａ ｃｏｎｔｒｏｖ     

Ultrastructure of the labellar epidermis in selected Maxillaria species (Orchidaceae)

The ultrastructure of the labellar epidermis of 13 species of Maxillaria and one hybrid was examined using low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The labellum may be homogeneous and glabrous or papillose, comprising one type of cell only, or heterogeneous with papillae, uniseriate trichomes and/or glands in various combinations. The trichomes are unbranched and multicellular with pointed or truncated tips. Moreover, in some taxa, moniliform trichomes occur, and these are thought to fragment with the formation of pseudopollen. Homogeneous and heterogeneous labellar organization may represent separate evolutionary lines. Preliminary results suggest that labellar features may provide additional taxonomic characters allowing determination of intrageneric affinities.     

大花蕙兰营养器官及原球茎的解剖学研究

对大花蕙兰试管苗营养器官及原球茎的解剖学研究结果表明：根由复表皮、皮层和维管柱组成,根毛丰富,皮层发达,内皮层明显,初生木质部月多元型,中央具髓,根茎由表皮,基本组织和维管束构成,维管束散生,属周木型;叶为等面叶,在上下表皮处分布有成束的厚壁组织,叶肉无栅栏组织和海绵组织之分,细胞排列紧密,维管束鞘由机械组织构成。原球茎原生分生组织的原套仅一层细胞,在顶端分生组织后面的薄壁细胞中,存在胚性细胞,由胚性细胞经球状胚可发育成幼原球茎。     

Ficus rubiginosa 'variegata', a chlorophyll-deficient chimera with mosaic patterns created by cell divisions from the outer meristematic layer

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Sections leaves of Ficus rubiginosa 'Variegata' show that it is a chimera with a chlorophyll deficiency in the second layer of the leaf meristem (GWG structure). Like other Ficus species, it has a multiseriate epidermis on the adaxial and abaxial sides of the leaf, formed by periclinal cell divisions as well as anticlinal divisions. The upper and lower laminae of the leaf often exhibit small dark and light green patches of tissue overlying internal leaf tissue. METHODS: The distribution of chlorophyll in transverse sections of typical leaves was determined by fluorescence microscopy. KEY RESULTS: Patches of dark and light green tissue which arise in the otherwise colourless palisade and spongy mesophyll tissue in the entire leaf are due to further cell divisions arising from the bundle sheath which is associated with major vascular bundles or from the green multiseriate epidermis. Leaves produced in winter exhibit more patches of green tissue than leaves which expand in mid-summer. Many leaves produced in summer have no spotting and appear like a typical GWG chimera. There is a strong relationship between the number of patches on the adaxial side of leaves and the number on the abaxial side, showing that the cell division in upper and lower layers of leaves is strongly coordinated. In both winter and summer, there are fewer patches on the abaxial side of leaves compared with the adaxial side, indicating that periclinal and anticlinal cell divisions from the outer meristematic layer are less frequent in the lower layers of leaf tissue. Most of the patches are small (<1 mm in longest dimension) and thus the cell divisions which form them occur late in leaf development. Leaves which exhibit large patches generally have them on both sides of the leaves. CONCLUSION: In this cultivar, the outer meristematic layer appears to form vascular bundle sheaths and associated internal leaf tissue in the entire leaf lamina.     

HETEROPHYLLY IN POPULUS GRANDIDENTATA (SALICACEAE) WITH EMPHASIS ON RESIN GLANDS AND EXTRAFLORAL NECTARIES

Big-tooth aspen displays heterophylly on twigs of saplings and on upper, vigorously growing twigs of larger trees. Early leaves, those present in overwintering buds which expand in spring, differ from late leaves, those that are mostly initiated and developed during the late spring and summer of the same year. The two sets of leaves differ in size, shape, number of teeth, number of marginal resin glands, and number and size of basilaminar extrafloral nectaries. Secretory structures are generally more prominent and active on late leaves. Marginal resin glands, resin-secreting stipules, and basilaminar nectaries of both early and late leaves are similar anatomically, having a secretory epidermis of cytoplasmically dense palisade-like cells separated from vascular bundle endings by several layers of isodiametric parenchyma. These secretory structures, and the dense mat of trichomes which cover the leaf until it fully expands, may help to protect the young leaves from insect damage. The basilaminar nectaries seem especially effective because they attract ants that probably discourage visits by other insects.