Leaf anatomy of <I>Spartina</I> Schreber (Poaceae) from Santa Catarina Island (Florianópolis, SC)

Abstract

The structural characteristics of the leaf of Spartina alternijlora Loisel.Desl., S. densiflora Brongn. and S.cifiata Brongn., from Santa Catarina Island (Florianópolis, SC), may contribute to the recognition of the species. The blade and sheath leaf morphology and anatomy of three species were studied. Among the distinguishing characteristics of the species are: salience (costal area) and re-entrance (intercostal area) of the adaxial surface of the leaf blade, the epicuticular protuberance and unicellular trichomes on the adaxial surface of the leaf blade, the distribution of the sclerenchyma fibres along the leaf (blade and sheath), and the arrangement of the parenchyma sheath of the Kranz type. A radiating palisade parenchyma occurs on the leaf blade. The air spaces are more developed in the mangrove species (S.alternijlora e S.densijlora) than in the salt marsh species (S.ciliata). In the three species, the epidermis consists of short (silica cells) and long epidermal cells, bulliform cells, estomata of the gramineous type, salt glands (bicellular), and thick cuticle.