COMPARAÇÃO DA ANATOMIA FOLIAR DE Eragrostis neesii TRIN. E Eragrostis plana NEES

Abstract

In Botany, Plant Anatomy has contributed significantly to Taxonomy, increasing the variety of characters used for the identification of taxa, including grass taxa. Eragrostis is a grass genus comprising about 54 species accepted for Brazil, with a challenging morphology. In this study, two species were analyzed: Eragrostis neesii Trin. and Eragrostis plana Nees. This work aimed to understand the anatomy of the leaf blade of the species E. neesii and E. plana, as well as the anatomical characteristics that differentiate them. Freehand cuts were made for temporary slides and with a microtome for permanent slides. The tests were performed with toluidine blue, phloroglucin and ruthenium red. With this study, it was possible to understand and compare the anatomical characteristics of E. neesii and E. plana. Eragrostis neesii has more cellular adaptations to water loss, such as trichomes on the ventral and dorsal sides of the leaf and a smaller number of sclerenchyma cells. In E. plana, the adaptations are mainly related to protection against herbivory, due to the large number of lignified cells, especially sclerenchyma cells. The cuticle of the epidermis on the abaxial side is thicker in E. plana.

Keywords: Leaf anatomy. Lovegrass. Canegrass