Contribution to the leaf morphological study from Curatella americana L. (Lixeira)

Abstract

Curatella americana, popularly known as “Lixeira”, is one of the woody species in the Cerrado domain. The objective was to evaluate the morphology of leaf venation by clearing in this species. Healthy leaves were collected in a permanent protection area in the municipality of Rio Verde, Goiás, Brazil. Toluidine Blue dye was used in the clearing process for C. americana leaves. For accurate visualization of leaf adaxial structures, a scanner was used, and for the abaxial, an optical microscope with attached camera. The images obtained were evaluated using the Image J software. The morphological analysis revealed that the leaves present ribs up to 4th order, prominent on the abaxial surface, craspedódroma nerves, starred trichomes, complete areolas, venules with two bifurcations, high stomatal density, of the paracitic type, rectangular epidermal cells, fimbrial rib on the margin and F.E.V.S. with a branch. The study presented important data for the C. americana system, allowing greater knowledge of the pattern of leaf venation and the epidermal surface.