Leaf anatomy during leaf development of photoautotrophically <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis>-grown tobacco plants as affected by growth irradiance

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) plants were cultured in vitro photoautotrophically at three levels of irradiance (PAR 400–700 nm): low (LI, 60 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹), middle (MI, 180 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and high (HI, 270 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹). Anatomy of the fourth leaf from bottom was followed during leaf development. In HI and MI plants, leaf area expansion started earlier as compared to LI plants, and both HI and MI plants developed some adaptations of sun species: leaves were thicker with higher proportion of palisade parenchyma to spongy parenchyma tissue. Furthermore, in HI and MI plants palisade and spongy parenchyma cells were larger and relative abundance of chloroplasts in parenchyma cells measured as chloroplasts cross-sectional area in the cell was lower than in LI plants. During leaf growth, chloroplasts crosssectional area in both palisade and spongy parenchyma cells in all treatments considerably decreased and finally it occupied only about 5 to 8 % of the cell cross-sectional area. Thus, leaf anatomy of photoautotrophically in vitro cultured plants showed a similar response to growth irradiance as in vivo grown plants, however, the formation of chloroplasts and therefore of photosynthetic apparatus was strongly impaired.     

葛(豆科)叶的解剖学研究

利用光学显微镜和扫描电镜观察了葛(Pueraria lobata)叶的解剖学特征。结果表明,葛叶片的上、下表皮都只有一层表皮细胞,上表皮比下表皮厚。上、下表皮都有腺毛和非腺毛。气孔主要分布在下表皮,下表皮的气孔密度为(261±17)mm-2,上表皮只有(6±3)mm-2。叶肉由两层栅栏组织细胞和一层海绵组织细胞构成。叶肉细胞中有丰富的叶绿体。在栅栏组织和海绵组织之间有一层平行于叶脉的薄壁细胞。叶脉中含有大量的草酸钙晶体。葛叶的这些形态特征与其喜阳、耐旱的特点相适应。     

Localization of Thermo-Osmotically Active Partitions in Young Leaves of Nuphar lutea

The submerged roots and rhizomes of the aquatic vascular macrophyteNuphar lutea (L.) Sm. are aerated, at least in part, by pressurizedventilation. Depending on temperature differences of up to 5K between the inside of young, just-emerged leaves and the surroundingair, pressure differences of 79 to 100 Pa higher than atmosphericare detectable inside the lacunuous spongy parenchyma of theleaf blades. The pressurization is a consequence of structuralfeatures of leaf tissues separating the air filled spaces ofthe spongy parenchyma from the atmosphere. These tissues areacting as thermo-osmotic partitions. Whereas the dimensionsof the stomatal openings (about 5·6 x 2·4 µm)and of the intercellular spaces of the palisade parenchyma (diametersabout 15 µm) are too large, those of the monolayers ofcells separating the palisade and the spongy parenchyma (diameters:0·7–1·2 µm) are small enough to impedefree gaseous diffusion. This inner non-homogeneous partitioninggives rise to the so-called Knudsen diffusion, a physical phenomenonleading to pressurization of the warmer air inside the spongyparenchyma. The rising pressure difference is strong enoughto establish an air flow through the aerenchyma of the wholeplant and out of the most porous older leaves in which a temperatureinduced pressurization is never detectable. These thermo-osmoticallyactive leaves enhance the influx of air to the rhizome and thediffusion path for oxygen to the roots is shortened to the distancebetween rhizome and root tips. Therefore, pressurized ventilationin Nuphar is seen to be of considerable ecological importancefor plant life in anaerobic environments. Key words: Aeration, leaf anatomy, thermo-osmosis of gases, Nuphar lutea     

Leaf morphology of 40 evergreen and deciduous broadleaved subtropical tree species and relationships to functional ecophysiological traits

We explored potential of morphological and anatomical leaf traits for predicting ecophysiological key functions in subtropical trees. We asked whether the ecophysiological parameters stomatal conductance and xylem cavitation vulnerability could be predicted from microscopy leaf traits. We investigated 21 deciduous and 19 evergreen subtropical tree species, using individuals of the same age and from the same environment in the Biodiversity‐Ecosystem Functioning experiment at Jiangxi (BEF‐China). Information‐theoretic linear model selection was used to identify the best combination of morphological and anatomical predictors for ecophysiological functions. Leaf anatomy and morphology strongly depended on leaf habit. Evergreen species tended to have thicker leaves, thicker spongy and palisade mesophyll, more palisade mesophyll layers and a thicker subepidermis. Over 50% of all evergreen species had leaves with multi‐layered palisade parenchyma, while only one deciduous species (Koelreuteria bipinnata) had this. Interactions with leaf habit were also included in best multi‐predictor models for stomatal conductance (g_s) and xylem cavitation vulnerability. In addition, maximum g_s was positively related to log ratio of palisade to spongy mesophyll thickness. Vapour pressure deficit (vpd) for maximum g_s increased with the log ratio of palisade to spongy mesophyll thickness in species having leaves with papillae. In contrast, maximum specific hydraulic conductivity and xylem pressure at which 50% loss of maximum specific xylem hydraulic conductivity occurred (Ψ₅₀) were best predicted by leaf habit and density of spongy parenchyma. Evergreen species had lower Ψ₅₀ values and lower maximum xylem hydraulic conductivities. As hydraulic leaf and wood characteristics were reflected in structural leaf traits, there is high potential for identifying further linkages between morphological and anatomical leaf traits and ecophysiological responses.     

The Effect of Salinity on Growth of Phaseolus vulgaris L.: I. Anatomical Changes in the First Trifoliate Leaf

When plants of Phaseolus vulgaris were grown in culture solutioncontaining 48 m mol l^–1 sodium chloride, the first trifoliateleaves were always smaller in area than those of control plants.The leaves of the salt-treated plants however could become thicker.This increase in thickness was brought about by the increasein the thickness of the spongy parenchyma layer. The palisadeparenchyma layer was always thinner than that in the controlleaves. While these latter leaves expanded predominantly bycell division, this only held for the early stages of expansionof the leaves of salt-treated plants. In this case cell divisionceased when the leaves were about half their maximal size andfurther increase in area was brought about by an increase involume of the spongy parenchyma cells.     

Prolonged leaf senescence in Clusia multiflora H.B.K.

 Leaf aging and senescence in Clusia multiflora H.B.K. was investigated by artificial treatments, such as floating leaf discs on water in darkness, or darkening leaves attached to the parent plant in situ in trees living in a tropical cloud forest. In both cases several parameters modified by age were evaluated such as nitrogen levels, chlorophyll content, succulence and carbohydrates levels. A prolonged senescence (nearly 3 months in floating leaf discs) was observed, contrasting with species such as Heliocarpus americanus (5 days) and Cecropia palmatisecta (20 days), characterized by low values of leaf weight per area, but similar to species with high leaf weight per area and with high levels of organic acids such as Clusia minor and Fourcroya humboldtiana, where acids may act as a reserve of C and energy. After 30 days in darkness C. multiflora leaf samples collected in the field did not show differences in comparison to non-darkened opposite leaves with respect to chlorophyll, titratable protons and carbohydrates, and leaves performed photosynthesis after 2 months in darkness. The effect of age in leaves was evaluated in a gradient of leaves, sampled at different positions from the apex and ranging in age from 15 days to 2 years old. The study of senescence in tropical wild plants is uncommon, but it is important knowledge for understanding foliar development, and response to internal rather than environmental regulation in climates where seasons are not strongly marked as is the case in the tropical mountain forest, where C. multiflora constitutes an important component in the early successional vegetation. Received: 21 October 1996 / Accepted: 12 November 1996     

龙苍沟国家森林公园7种花楸属植物的叶解剖特征及其环境适应性

采用石蜡切片法对四川省龙苍沟国家森林公园内7种花楸属（Sorbus）植物的叶解剖特征进行研究,探究其结构特征与生境的相关性。结果显示：7种植物的叶片均为典型的背腹叶;叶片厚度介于108.16~208.21 μm,种间差异极显著（P<0.01）;上表皮厚度均大于下表皮厚度,且复叶物种的下表皮细胞均有乳突;栅栏组织由1~2层细胞构成,仅多对西康花楸（S. prattii var. aestivalis）的栅海比（栅栏组织与海绵组织的厚度比）为1.93,其余6种植物的栅海比均小于1;中脉维管束均呈心型,为典型的外韧型维管束,种间中脉突起度存在极显著差异（P<0.01）。各解剖结构中,上、下表皮可塑性最大,在生境中具有较强的潜在适应能力;中脉可塑性最小,整体结构较为稳定。栅栏组织、海绵组织和中脉组织是7种植物中种间差异最大的解剖结构。叶解剖结构与生境因子的相关性分析表明,栅栏组织厚度、栅海比和紧密度与年降水量、最暖季降水和海拔正相关（P<0.05）,与季节性温差负相关（P<0.05）;中脉直径和突起度与季节性温差呈正相关（P<0.01）,与年降水量、最暖季降水和海拔正相关负相关（P<0.05）。叶解剖结构性状的适应性变化,体现了7种花楸属植物在龙苍沟国家森林公园的生存策略。     

Anatomical responses of leaves of Black Locust (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Robinia pseudoacacia</Emphasis> L.) to urban pollutant gases and climatic factors

This study investigates responses in the leaf anatomy of Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) to the atmospheric pollutants, SO₂, NO₂ and O₃ and climate in Tehran. The anatomical variables studied include thickness of the leaf lamina and of its main constituent tissues and the length and density of stomata. We present evidence that, in response to urban air pollution, the spongy mesophyll layer is thinner, the upper cuticle of the leaf thicker and stomatal density and the ratio of palisade parenchyma to spongy parenchyma are increased. Similar responses were also detected in relation to a climatic gradient. Stomatal density and thickness of the leaf lamina and of its mesophyll layer were all higher under warmer drier conditions. This overlap in anatomical response to two very different suites of environmental variables may reflect a functional overlap between mechanisms designed to restrict water loss in dry climates and those that minimize the uptake of toxic gases in polluted habitats.     

石蒜属12 种植物叶片比较解剖学研究

 对石蒜属( Lycoris Herb. ) 12 种植物叶片的比较解剖学研究表明: (1) 石蒜属植物叶片横切面的端部、中部及基部的轮廓基本呈浅“W”或“V”字型, 有些种的表皮细胞上具有明显的尖刺状乳突; ( 2)石蒜属植物均为异面叶, 叶肉组织有一定的栅栏组织和海绵组织分化, 但二者的厚度、叶肉中所占比例及栅栏组织的细胞层数在种间有一定的差异; (3) 海绵组织发达、具有大而明显的薄壁细胞或细胞裂溶后形成空腔(分泌腔或气腔); (4) 叶片中维管束数目大多为奇数, 叶脉维管束鞘由薄壁细胞组成; (5) 石蒜属植物横切面上叶缘的形状分为圆弧形和楔形两种类型。石蒜属植物叶的解剖结构具有许多相似特征; 同时又具有一定的种间差异, 可为石蒜属植物的种间关系和开发利用提供有价值的信息。     

Leaf anatomy of highbush blueberry grownin vitro and during acclimatization toex vitro conditions

Leaves of micropropagated highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) cv. ‘Bluetta’ have been observed during the acclimatization phase. In vitro-developed leaf cells were circular and small, the spongy parenchyma was discontinuous and disorganized and formed by 1–2 layers of cells with large intercellular spaces and the palisade to spongy mesophyll thickness ratio was 1:1.5. After rooting ex vitro, the first leaves formed under natural conditions showed substantial changes in the anatomical characteristics. After 6 months, the plants produced leaves similar to those in field-grown plants. The palisade cells were rectangular, the spongy parenchyma was formed by 3–4 layers of cells and the intercellulars were around the stomata. Leaves from field-grown plants lost 24 % of water during 150 min after excision while leaves from in vitro shoots lost about 50 % of water in the same time. Leaves from in vitro shoots showed a higher number of smaller stomata (361 per mm²), with the guard cells forming a circular ring; the stomata frequency in field-grown leaves was 241 per mm² and the guard-cells were elliptical.     

青海湖盐碱湿地灰绿藜叶的形态解剖学研究

利用光学显微镜和透射电镜对生长于青海湖湖滨盐碱湿地的先锋植物灰绿藜（Chenopodium glaucum Linn.）及生长于甘肃兰州大学校园内中生环境对照灰绿藜叶片的显微、超微结构进行了比较观察研究。结果发现中生环境灰绿藜叶片较薄,有明显的栅栏与海绵组织分化;叶绿体呈椭圆形,基粒片层较发达且普遍含有淀粉粒。与对照相比,生长于高海拔湖滨盐碱湿地灰绿藜叶为等面叶,叶片厚,角质层厚,栅栏组织发达,气室明显,具表皮毛;线粒体较多,但嵴不发达,叶绿体呈扁船型沿着壁的边缘排列,叶绿体的基粒片层不发达且普遍含有脂质球,一些细胞中常出现大量的多层膜结构。研究结果表明2种生态型灰绿藜的形态结构已发生了深刻的变异,湖滨灰绿藜表现出适应区域的寒旱化的明显特征。     

Leaf plasticity in response to light of three evergreen species of the Mediterranean maquis

Morphological, anatomical, biochemical and physiological traits of sun and shade leaves of adult Quercus ilex, Phillyrea latifolia and Pistacia lentiscus shrub species co-occurring in the Mediterranean maquis at Castelporziano (Latium) were studied. Fully expanded sun leaves had 47% (mean of the three species) greater leaf mass area (LMA) and 31% lower specific leaf area (SLA) than shade leaves. Palisade parenchyma thickness contributed on an average 42% to the total leaf thickness, spongy layer 43%, upper epidermal cells 5%, and upper cuticle thickness 3%. Stomatal size was greater in sun (25.5 μm) than in shade leaves (23.6 μm). Total chlorophyll content per fresh mass was 71% greater in shade than in sun leaves, and nitrogen content was the highest in sun (13.7 mg g⁻¹) than in shade leaves (11.8 mg g⁻¹). Difference of net photosynthetic rates (P _N) between sun and shade leaves was 97% (mean of the three species). The plasticity index (sensu Valladares et al., New Phytol 148:79–91, 2000a) was the highest for physiological leaf traits (0.86) than for morphological, anatomical and biochemical ones. Q. ilex had the highest plasticity index of morphological, anatomical and physiological leaf traits (0.37, 0.28 and 0.71, respectively) that might explain its wider ecological distribution. The higher leaf plasticity of Q. ilex might be advantageous in response to varying environmental conditions, including global change.     

Links between leaf anatomy and leaf mass per area of herbaceous species across slope aspects in an eastern Tibetan subalpine meadow

Leaf anatomy varies with abiotic factors and is an important trait for understanding plant adaptive responses to environmental conditions. Leaf mass per area (LMA) is a key morphological trait and is related to leaf performance, such as light‐saturated photosynthetic rate per leaf mass, leaf mechanical strength, and leaf lifespan. LMA is the multiplicative product of leaf thickness (LT) and leaf density (LD), both of which vary with leaf anatomy. Nevertheless, how LMA, LT, and LD covary with leaf anatomy is largely unexplored along natural environmental gradients. Slope aspect is a topographic factor that underlies variations in solar irradiation, air temperature, humidity, and soil fertility. In the present study, we examined (1) how leaf anatomy varies with different slope aspects and (2) how leaf anatomy is related to LMA, LD, and LT. Leaf anatomy was measured for 30 herbaceous species across three slope aspects (south‐, west‐, and north‐facing slopes; hereafter, SFS, WFS, and NFS, respectively) in an eastern Tibetan subalpine meadow. For 18 of the 30 species, LMA data were available from previous studies. LD was calculated as LMA divided by LT. Among the slope aspects, the dominant species on the SFS exhibited the highest LTs with the thickest spongy mesophyll layers. The thicker spongy mesophyll layer was related to a lower LD via larger intercellular airspaces. In contrast, LD was the highest on NFS among the slope aspects. LMA was not significantly different among the slope aspects because higher LTs on SFS were effectively offset by lower LDs. These results suggest that the relationships between leaf anatomy and LMA were different among the slope aspects. Mechanisms underlying the variations in leaf anatomy may include different solar radiation, air temperatures, soil water, and nutrient availabilities among the slope aspects.     

Ultrastructural effects in potato leaves due to antisense-inhibition of the sucrose transporter indicate an apoplasmic mode of phloem loading

To study the export of sugars from leaves and their long-distance transport, sucrose-proton/co-transporter activity of potato was inhibited by antisense repression of StSUT1 under control of either a ubiquitously active (CaMV 35S ) or a companion-cell-specific (rolC) promotor in transgenic plants. Transformants exhibiting reduced levels of the sucrose-transporter mRNA and showing a dramatic reduction in root and tuber growth, were chosen to investigate the ultrastructure of their source leaves. The transformants had a regular leaf anatomy with a single-layered palisade parenchyma, and bicollateral minor veins within the spongy parenchyma. Regardless of the promoter used, source leaves from transformants showed an altered leaf phenotype and a permanent accumulation of assimilates as indicated by the number and size of starch grains, and by the occurrence of lipid-storing oleosomes. Starch accumulated throughout the leaf: in epidermis, mesophyll and, to a smaller degree, in phloem parenchyma cells of minor veins. Oleosomes were observed equally in mesophyll and phloem parenchyma cells. Companion cells were not involved in lipid accmulation and their chloroplasts developed only small starch grains. The similarity of ultrastructural symptoms under both promotors corresponds to, rather than contradicts, the hypothesis that assimilates can move symplasmically from mesophyll, via the bundle sheath, up to the phloem. The microscopical symptoms of a constitutively high sugar level in the transformant leaves were compared with those in wild-type plants after cold-girdling of the petiole. Inhibition of sugar export, both by a reduction of sucrose carriers in the sieve element/companion cell complex (se/cc complex), or further downstream by cold-girdling, equally evokes the accumulation of assimilates in all leaf tissues up to the se/cc complex border. However, microscopy revealed that antisense inhibition of loading produces a persistently high sugar level throughout the leaf, while cold-girdling leads only to local patches containing high levels of sugar. Received: 4 March 1998 / Accepted: 7 April 1998     

Anatomical and Eco-Physiological Changes in Leaves of Couch-Grass (Elymus repens L.), a Temperate Loess Grassland Species,after 7 Years Growth Under Elevated CO2 Concentration

Leaf anatomy and eco-physiology of Elymus repens, a temperate loess grassland species, were determined after seven years of exposure to 700 μmol (CO₂) mol⁻¹ (EC). EC treatment resulted in significant reduction of stomatal density on both surfaces of couch-grass leaves. Thickness of leaves and that of the sclerenchyma tissues between the vessels and the adaxial surfaces, the area of vascular bundle, and the volumes of phloem and tracheary increased at EC while abaxial epidermis and the sclerenchyma layer between the vessel and the abaxial surface were thicker at ambient CO₂ concentration (AC). Stomatal conductance and transpiration rates were lower in EC, while net CO₂ assimilation rate considerably increased at EC exposure. Contents of soluble sugars and starch were higher in EC-treated couch-grass leaves than in plants grown at AC. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

七种阔叶常绿植物叶片的生态解剖学研究

对 7种常绿阔叶植物叶片的解剖学特征的观察结果表明 ,它们的叶片在结构上均表现出典型的旱生特点 :异面叶 ,上表皮细胞较厚且排列紧密 ,具发达的角质膜 ,无气孔器分布 ,下表皮细胞较小 ,气孔器密度较大 ;栅栏组织细胞层数较多 ,排列紧密 ,海绵组织细胞排列极其疏松 ,并形成通气组织 ;中脉及其输导组织和机械组织发达。越冬叶和越夏叶在解剖结构上存在一定的差异 :前者在角质膜 ,叶片厚度和栅栏组织厚度等方面比后者厚 ,而在气孔密度和输导组织方面则比后者略有减少或不发达。这些差异 (发育可塑性 )是常绿阔叶植物适应冬、夏季截然不同的两种生境 (生境的时间异质性 )的表现形式     

Differential leaf traits of a neotropical tree Cariniana legalis (Mart.) Kuntze (Lecythidaceae): comparing saplings and emergent trees

Cariniana legalis is an emergent tree that reaches the upper canopy in Brazilian Semideciduous Forest. Spatial contrasts in microclimatic conditions between the upper canopy and understorey in a forest may affect morpho-physiological leaf traits. In order to test the hypothesis that the upper canopy is more stressful to leaves than a gap environment we compared emergent trees of C. legalis, 28–29 m in height to gap saplings, 6–9 m in height, for the following parameters: leaf area, leaf mass area (LMA the dry weight:leaf area ratio), leaf thickness, leaf anatomical parameters, stomata conductance, and chlorophyll a fluorescence. Leaves from emergent trees had smaller leaf areas but greater LMA compared to saplings. Leaf thickness, palisade layer thickness, and stomatal density were higher for emergent trees than for saplings. The opposite pattern was observed for spongy layer thickness and spongy/palisade ratio. Stomatal conductance was also higher for emergent tree leaves than for sapling leaves, but the magnitude of depression on stomatal conductance near midday was more pronounced in emergent trees. The potential quantum yield of photosystem II, as determined by the F _v/F _m ratio was lower for leaves from saplings. The lower values of stomatal conductance, indicating restriction in CO₂ diffusion into the mesophyll can be related to higher photoinhibition observed in the saplings. Leaves from emergent trees and saplings exhibited similar values for apparent electron transport rates and non-photochemical quenching. Our results suggest that changes in leaf traits could be associated to dry conditions at the upper canopy as well as to the ontogenetic transition between sapling/emergent tree life stages.     

Comparative anatomy of resin ducts of the Pinaceae

 Resin ducts are common in the Pinaceae. The comparative anatomy of stems and leaves of 50 species and two varieties from ten genera has been investigated. The structure and distribution of resin ducts differ among genera. Resin ducts occur in foliage leaves of ten genera of Pinaceae. Cortical resin ducts are absent in the stems of Pseudolarix and Larix. Resin ducts only occur in the secondary xylem of stems of Pinus, Picea, Cathaya, Larix, Pseudotsuga and some Keteleeria species. All of the epithelial and sheath cells are alive and thin-walled in the resin ducts of stem cortex and mesophyll. Except for Pinus the epithelial cells of resin ducts in the secondary xylem of stems have thick, lignified walls. Comparative study shows there are obvious differences in the resin ducts of different genera; apparent differences do not exist, however, in the resin ducts of different species of the same genus. According to the structure and distribution of the resin ducts in ten genera of Pinaceae, a synoptical arrangement of the genera is given and generic relationships of the Pinaceae are discussed. Received: 12 September 1995 / Accepted: 14 March 1996     

The Influence of Water Deficit on the Factors Controlling the Daily Pattern of Growth of Phaseolus Trifoliates

Phaseolus seedlings were grown in liquid culture under controlledtemperature and irradiance and measurements were made of dailyvariation in growth of the first trifoliate leaves. Leaf growthrate was significantly enhanced within a few hours of the startof the light period. Over a similar time, a small decrease inleaf turgor and an increase in cell wall plasticity were recorded.Slowly declining growth rates as the light period progressedmay have been caused by decreases in turgor during this time.When water availability to the leaves was restricted by growingthe plants for several days in nutrient solution maintainedat a low temperature (12°C), the daily pattern of growthof the trifoliates was changed quite markedly. Dark-growth rateswere slightly enhanced, while light-growth rates were significantlyreduced when compared to growth rates of plants well-suppliedwith water (roots at 20°C). Relative ‘plateau’growth rates of plants well-supplied (ww) with water or sufferinga restricted supply (ws) in the light (L) and in the dark (D)were as follows: ww L > ws D > ww D > ws L. In thelight, turgors of the two groups of plants were similar, suggestingthat the reduced growth rate of the cooled plants resulted froma change in cell wall structure and/or properties. Immediatelybefore the lights were switched on, plants grown with a restrictedwater supply showed relatively high turgors in the trifoliatesand these were presumably responsible for the enhanced growthrates at this time. Restriction of water availability may haveslightly increased the plasticity of cell walls and decreasedthe yield threshold for growth. The control of leaf growth inplants developing water deficit is discussed. Key words: Leaf growth turgor, Cell wall plasticity, Water deficit, Light     

Leaf anatomical variation in Alchornea triplinervia (Spreng) Mull. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) under distinct light and soil water regimes

Alchornea triplinervia (Spreng.) Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) is a tree which occurs in a broad range of habitats in Brazil. In the State of Rio de Janeiro, it occurs from montane forests to swamplands at sea level. A quantitative approach was used to examine the role of light and soil water regime on the variations found in anatomical traits of the palisade and spongy parenchyma, outer epidermal cell wall of the abaxial and adaxial surfaces, the percentage of sclerenchymatous area in relation to the total midrib area and the ratio of palisade to spongy parenchyma for five distinct ecological populations: M—late secondary montane forest (shaded, unflooded); M2—early secondary montane forest (semi-exposed, unflooded); SI—primary swamp forest (semi-exposed, flooded); S2—secondary swamp forest (exposed, flooded); and D—deforestation area (exposed, unflooded). Tukey tests were carried out for multiple comparisons, while one-way factor variance analysis was used to test for differences among ecological populations. A principal component analysis was used to order the populations as well as to find the higher variance component. These populations developed different response levels to the environmental factors studied, namely light and soil water regime. Light accounted for the variations found in palisade and spongy parenchyma while the combination of light and soil water determined the variations found regarding the outer epidermal cell wall of the abaxial surface, the percentage of sclerenchymatous area in relation to the total midrib area and the compaction of the spongy parenchyma. The separation of S1/M2 and S2/D populations into two groups was due to similar light regimes, which suggested that light was affecting the leaf anatomical variation of A. triplinervia more than the interaction of light and soil water regime.