We characterized the morphology and anatomy of the vegetative body of Deianira erubescens, Deianira pallescens, Deianira nervosa, Deianira chiquitana and Schultesia gracilis to aid in the taxonomy and understanding of adaptive strategies. Samples of Deianira and Schultesia were collected from Cerrado and campo rupestre, MG. The material was processed for observation by light microscopy. D. erubescens and D. pallescens have rosulate, decussate leaves, concrescent at the base along the stem; D. chiquitana has concrescent leaves at the base in the proximal region of the stem and decussate leaves not fused; D. nervosa and S. gracilis have decussate leaves not fused. In the genus Deianira, there are roots with secondary growth, these are not usual in D. erubescens and D. nervosa and Arum-type arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM), except in D. nervosa; stems fistular in D. pallecens; amphistomatic leaves and homogenous mesophyll, except in D. nervosa where there are hypostomatic leaves and dorsiventral mesophyll. S. gracilis has roots with aerenchyma and Paris-type AM, stem prismatic, winged and fistular and hypostomatic leaves with homogenous mesophyll. Anatomical characters may be used successfully in the distinction of species and may be used to understand the adaptation to environment.
Anatomy; Deianira; Gentianaceae; Mycorrhyzae; Schultesia
