Leaf structure and histochemistry of Ecballium elaterium (L.) A. Rich. (squirting cucumber) |
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Authors: | Nikolaos S. Christodoulakis Kalliope KolliaCostas Fasseas |
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Affiliation: | a Department of Botany, Faculty of Biology, University of Athens, Athens 15701, Greece b Laboratory of Electron Microscopy, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, Athens 11855, Greece |
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Abstract: | Light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy as well as histochemical reactions were employed to study the leaf structure and secretory activity of Ecballium elaterium, a hairy pharmaceutical perennial common in the Mediterranean region. The amphistomatic leaf has a peculiar structure due to special cells supporting the conductive bundles, a remarkable shortage of mechanical tissue, and the existence of pectin strands between mesophyll cells. The secreting activity is limited mostly to secretary hairs. These attributes of the Ecballium leaf fine structures do not resemble the common structure of leaves from Mediterranean plants and point to a peculiar strategy of this species coping with stress conditions of its habitat. |
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Keywords: | Ecballium elaterium Leaf anatomy Histochemistry Secretory structures Secondary metabolites Secreting hairs |
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