ANATOMÍA DEL PECÍOLO EN ESPECIES DE Cleome L. PRESENTES EN VENEZUELA

Abstract

The petiole anatomy of 17 Cleome species distributed in Venezuela was characterized with the purpose to evaluate its usefulness from a taxonomic point of view. The plant material was collected in different localities, fixed in FAA, and free-hand sections and semipermanent slides were prepared. The material was analyzed, photographed, or drawn using an optical microscope equipped with digital camera and drawing tube. The taxa differ in: the number and distribution of vascular bundles, sclerenchyma associated or not to vascular bundles, contour of the petiole in cross-section, presence or not of a central fistula and crystals. The foliar anatomical characters may contribute to clarify the present controversial status of the subfamily where Cleome is included.