Leaf morphoanatomy of Poiretia tetraphylla (Poiret) Burkart (Leguminosae)

Abstract

Poiretia tetraphylla (Poiret) Burkart (Leguminosae) is a perennial plant that occurs in countryside formations of Brazil, Argentine, Paraguay and Uruguay. This plant is used in traditional medicine as stimulating and stomach disorders. The aim of this work was the determination of morphoanatomy parameters, seeking the botanical control of quality of P. tetraphylla leaves. The morphological analysis was made by means of a stereomicroscope. The anatomical analysis in paradermic and transversal sections was made with hydroxide ethyl methacrylate inclusion. The leaves are characteristically 4-leaflets, with membranaceous consistency, in general oblong to rhomboidal and entire margin. The epidermis one layered has stomata concentrated in the abaxial face. The mesophyll is dorsiventral. The palisade parenchyma presents itself with 2 to 3 cell layers and spongy parenchyma constitutes itself of 4 to 6 layers of irregular cells. In distal portions occurs a pair of secretory cells structure. The vascular bundles are collateral closed and are found protected by a parenchymatous sheath. The whole of these diagnostic traits are useful on the botanical control of quality of this species.