ABSTRACT
MICROMORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LEAF SURFACE OF TWO SPECIES OF RUDGEA ARE PRESENTED. THE STUDY WAS BASED ON MATERIAL FROM THE UNDERSTOREY OF ATLANTIC FOREST. SPECIAL ATTENTION IS PAID TO THE OCCURENCE OF SMOOTH AND STRIATED CUTICLE, TO PARACYTIC STOMATA,(SOME OF WHICH EXIHBIT AN UNUSUAL PATTERN IN THE ARRANGEMENT OF THE SURROUNDING EPIDERMAL CELLS) AND TO PAPILLAE, WHICH ARE IRREGULARLY DISTRIBUTED ON THE ABAXIAL LEAF SURFACE. CORRELATIONS BETWEEN THE LEAF SURFACE FEATURES AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ARE DISCUSSED.
KEY WORDS:
SHADE LEAVES; RUDGEA; RUBIACEAE