Structural aspects of leaves of <I>Guapira opposita</I> (Vell) Reitz (Nyctaginaceae) plants occurring in the sandbank and in the floresta ombrófila densa

Abstract

Guapira opposita is a tree species that occurs in the shaded and humid environment of the Floresta Ombrófila Densa and in sunny and dry sandbank areas. This work had as objective to compare the anatomical characteristics of the leaves from forest and sandbank, looking for differences that can favor the survival of the species in such different environments. The results showed that the variation of some characteristics between forest and sandbank leaves help to explain the adaptation of the species to these environments, as leaf area, stomatal density, chlorophyll contents and thickness of epidermal cells, cuticle membrane and leaf blade. The form of leaves, the guard cell dimensions and stomatal pore size, on the other hand, did not show clear behaviour related to the variation in the light intensity.