The present study deals with the leaf anatomy of two species of Cyperaceae: Trilepis lhotzkiana and Trilepis ciliatifolia. Both species grow on granitic outcrop from Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. The results reveal that they present commom features as: single-layered epidermis, with conical silica bodies, paracitic stomata, unicellular hairs and collateral vascular bundles. The sclerenchyma is well developed and is associated with the vascular tissues forming lignified bundles sheath extensions. Chlorenchyma is restricted to sectors between vascular bundles. The arrangement and particularities of epidermal cells and the presence of a continuous lignified hypodermis are particularly important for taxonomic use. The leaf structure of both species have shown xeromorphic characters that can be related environmental conditions.
Cyperaceae; rock outcropping plants; foliar anatomy
