Morphoanatomical characterization of the leaves of Pseudobombax majus (A. Robyns) Carv.-Sobr. (Bombacoideae, Malvaceae)

ABSTRACT

Given the lack of descriptive studies on the leaf anatomy and histochemistry of Pseudobombax (Bombacoideae, Malvaceae), this study provides a detailed account of the leaf morphoanatomy of P. majus and presents the first anatomical and histochemical data for this genus. We sampled three cultivated individuals in Mogi das Cruzes (SP) and processed them using standard light microscopy techniques and histochemical analyses. The leaflets of P. majus exhibits leaflets with a uniseriate epidermis on both surfaces, covered by a thick cuticle, with idioblasts with druses in the dorsiventral mesophyll. The vascular system has collateral vascular bundles of varying calibers. In the central vein, there is a well-developed collateral bundle oriented towards the abaxial surface and smaller bundles oriented towards the adaxial surface. Histochemical analyses revealed the presence of mucilaginous and phenolic substances in the parenchyma of the blade and midrib. These findings complement the morphoanatomical characterization of Pseudobombax.

Keywords:
Bombacaceae; embiruçu; idioblasts; leaflets