Micromorphology and anatomy of the leaf blade: a contribution to the taxonomy of Luziola (Poaceae, Oryzoideae) from the Pantanal, Brazil

• Published in: Plant systematics and evolution Vol. 302; no. 3; pp. 265 - 273
• Main Authors: Leandro, Thales D, Scremin-Dias, Edna, do Carmo de Oliveira Arruda, Rosani
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Vienna Springer Vienna 01-03-2016; Springer-Verlag GmbH; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Anatomy; aquatic organisms; Biodiversity; Biological taxonomies; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Bundles; center of diversity; Dimorphism; Epidermal cells; Epidermis; Feature recognition; Furrows; Grasses; Leaf blade; Leaves; Life Sciences; Luziola; Mesophyll; Mesophyll cells; microstructure; Original Article; Plant Anatomy/Development; Plant Ecology; Plant Sciences; Plant Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography; Poaceae; Silica; Silicon dioxide; Species; Stomata; Taxa; Taxonomy; Trichomes; Vascular bundles; vegetative growth; Pantanal; Brazil; Luziolinae; Oryzeae; Poales; Leaf anatomy; Aquatic grasses; Zizaniinae
• ISSN: 0378-2697; 1615-6110; 2199-6881
• DOI: 10.1007/s00606-015-1260-8

Luziola comprises nine monoecious, aquatic species and has its center of diversity in South America. Due to the morphological similarities among Luziola species in the vegetative stage, the micromorphology and anatomy of the leaf blade of five Luziola species were studied to survey potentially useful features for taxon identification. Oryzoid silica bodies; silicified unicellular trichomes with a rounded apex; stomata in furrows on the adaxial surface; a complex midrib consisting of at least two vascular bundles; superposed vascular bundles in the mesophyll; and fusoid cells are features shared by some of these species. Conversely, features unique to a single species include: vertically elongated epidermal cells surrounding pointed unicellular trichomes, flat midrib and leaf margin dimorphism (L. fragilis), and an obtuse leaf blade margin (L. subintegra). L. spruceana and L. subintegra show the greatest micromorphological and anatomical affinity among the five species herein studied, and L. fragilis has the greatest number of unique features. All species are recognized by the structure of the midrib, a strong feature for the identification of taxa within Luziola. A key for the identification of the studied species is presented based on the leaf blade features.