Nectaries are common among the Leguminosae, being frequently located in the leaves. The aim of this work was to anatomically characterize the stem, leaf and extrafloral nectary of Chamaecrista trichopoda, as well as to histochemically investigate the composition of the nectary secretion of this species. The samples were submitted to histochemical tests and usual plant anatomy techniques and analyzed through light microscope and scanning electron microscope. The leaflets are amphistomatic, dorsiventral, with collateral bundles and present associated fibers. It is common the occurrence of monocrystals in the bundle sheath cells. Uniseriate and multicellular tector trichomes occur in foliar lamina and stem. The stem presents uniseriate epidermis. Below the epidermis, three to four layers of collenchyma are observed, followed by two to three layers of chlorenchyma. In the most internal layers of the cortex, crystalliferous idioblasts containing monocrystals are observed, and the bundle sheath is delimited by fibers and the pith is parenchymatic. The leaf and stem anatomy characteristics corroborate with the existing Caesalpinioideae subfamily data. The nectary is pedunculate, around 1mm high and located in the adaxial part of the petiole, presenting an orange-like color, with the apex forming a concavity and the borders slightly rounded. It is common the occurrence of small openings on the surface of the nectary and fungi hyphae in the post-secretory phase. Anatomically, a nectary structure was confirmed. The nectary is vascularized by phloem and xylem with the nectariferous parenchyma occurring below the epidermis, which presents a thick cuticle. Anatomic characters may help study genus taxonomy. Histochemical analyses evidence the accumulation of tannins in the cells of the nectariferous parenchyma, likely functioning as a protection against herbivore. It was observed on the nectary surface the presence of pores, which may be preferential sites of nectar elimination. However, further analyses using transmission electronic microscope are fundamental to elucidate the process of nectar elimination.
extrafloral nectary; Leguminosae; plant anatomy
