Comparative leaf morpho-anatomy of species known as espinheira-santa: <I>Maytenus ilicifolia</I> (Celastraceae), <I>Sorocea bonplandii</I> (Moraceae) and <I>Zollernia ilicifolia</I> (Leguminosae)

Abstract

Maytenus ilicifolia (Celastraceae) it is the true espinheira-santa. However Sorocea bonplandii Moraceae) and Zollernia ilicifolia (Leguminosae) are confused frequently, with it to the morphologic likeness of the leaves. Fresh material was fixed of 2.5% glutaraldeyde in 0.1 M sodium phosphate buffer 7.2 pH. For scanning electron microscopy the samples were dehydrated and later immerged in HMDS. The leaf of M. ilicifolia is narrow oblong, of S. bonplandii is obovate oblanceolate and of Z. ilicifolia is narrow elliptic. The leaves ofthe three species are bifacial and hypostomatous. Only Z. ilicifolia presents a layer ofcells without chloroplasts under epidermis in the adaxial surface. The stomata are paracitic in M. ilicifolia and Z. ilicifolia and anomocitic in S. bonplandii. Hairs happen in Z. ilicifolia and in S. bonplandii, not having been found in M. ilicifolia. Just S. bonplandii presents laticifers. The form and disposition of the tissues in the midrib, in the border and in the petiole present differences in the three species. The results revealed that some morpho-anatomic characteristics ofthe leafcan be used in the distinction among the three species.