The anatomy of the leaves, bracts and scapes of 20 species (41 specimens) of Actinocephalus from the "campos rupestres" of Brazil were studied. Our aim was the characterization of this new genus in an anatomical basis, besides elucidating some ecological aspects of the group. The leaves and bracts are similar, presenting an uniseriate epidermis, with elongated cells in longitudinal orientation; stomata on the abaxial surface, with substomatal chambers; loosely aggregated chlorenchyma; collateral vascular bundles enclosed in a double sheath, and parenchymatous bundles sheath extensions. The scapes present an uniseriate epidermis; substomatal chambers; loosely aggregated chlorenchyma; discontinuous endodermis; sinuous pericycle and collateral vascular bundles. The presence of elongated cells in longitudinal orientation in the epidermis as well as in the vascular bundles sheath extensions in the leaves and bracts, besides discontinuous endodermis in the scapes and substomatal chambers in the three organs studied are consistent characters for the genus. The anatomical characteristics of the organs studied are mesomorphic.
Actinocephalus; anatomy; bracts; leaves; scapes
