Characterization of the leaf anatomy of four species of fruit tree: Anacardium occidentale L. (cashew); Mangifera indica L. (mango); Spondias purpurea L. (Spanish plum) and Psidium guajava L. (guava).
Torres M., Jáuregui D.
Author Affiliation: Universidad Central de Venezuela, Facultad de Agronomía, Instituto de Botánica Agrícola, Apdo. 4579, Maracay, Aragua, Venezuela.
Ernstia 9 : 155-173
Abstract : Anatomical studies indicated that leaves of A. occidentale, Mangifera indica and Spondias purpurea were structurally similar although some differences were noted in thickness and sinuosity of the epidermal cell walls; stomatal and trichome density, location and type; thickness of and numbers of layers forming the leaf blade; the form of association of the schlerenchyma with the vascular bundles and the arrangement of these in the midrib and petiole; and the presence of petiole hypodermis. P. guajava leaves had a greater number of characteristics which were different to the other species. The anatomical characteristics of A. occidentale, M. indica and P. guajava leaves were similar to those of xerophytic plants, whereas those of S. purpurea, which sheds its leaves during the year, were not.