Vellozia hatschbachii L. B. Sm. & Ayensu

Vellozia hatschbachii L. B. Smith & Ayensu

SPECIMENS EXAMINED.—L. B. Smith and Ayensu 16002.

SURFACE VIEW.—Hairs: none present. Epidermis: adaxial cells mostly square, few rectangular; thin

walled. Abaxial cells rectangular; thin walled. Stomata: paracytic, 21 × 9 μm; present on abaxial surface.

TRANSVERSE SECTION OF LAMINA.—Dorsiventral; V-shaped with small median adaxial groove. Adaxial surface very slightly undulating; abaxial surface furrowed one-half to three-fourths thickness of blade. Epidermis: adaxial cells rounded; few rectangular; thin walled. Abaxial cells rounded; interspersed with small sclerenchyma strands. Subjacent to adaxial epidermis occur two to three layers of sclerenchyma strands interspersed with radially arranged rows of two to three parenchyma cells. Below sclerenchyma strands is a distinct layer of parenchyma cells. Cuticle: fairly thick and ridged on adaxial and abaxial surfaces. Stomata: present in abaxial furrows; substomatal chamber present; some epidermal furrow projections covering stomata. Mesophyll: three to four, mostly three, layers of compactly arranged small palisade tissue changing abruptly into spongy tissue. Two to three layers of large translucent cells radially arranged above vascular bundles and furrows. Vascular bundles: 46; few commissural bundles present. Two to three large vessels present in each vascular bundle. Two phloem units arranged laterally in flanges of partial Y-shaped abaxial girder. Small adaxial cap present on each vascular bundle. Abaxial sclerenchyma strands present between abaxial epidermis followed by a layer of parenchyma cells. Each vascular bundle completely surrounded by a bundle sheath. Crystals: none observed. Tannins: some present.

NOTE: This species resembles Vellozia lappa in its general anatomy. The leaf blade is smaller than V. lappa. Furthermore the translucent cells above the vascular bundles are mostly two, whereas those in V. lappa are mostly four.

Vellozia hemisphaerica Seubert in Martius

SPECIMENS EXAMINED.—Blanchet 2544.

SURFACE VIEW.—Hairs: absent. Epidermis: cells square to rectangular, thin walled. Stomata: paracytic, 18 × 12 μm; present on abaxial surface.

TRANSVERSE SECTION OF LAMINA.—Dorsiventral; V-shaped. Adaxial surface conspicuously ridged; abaxial surface distinctly furrowed about one-half thickness of blade. Epidermis: adaxial cells rounded to dome shaped, some conical; abaxial cells more rectangular; cells on both surfaces thin walled. Subjacent to the epidermis are one to two layers of sclerenchyma strands interspersed with parenchyma cells. Below sclerenchyma strands is a distinct layer of parenchyma cells. Cuticle: thin and ridged on adaxial surface; not as ridged but thicker on abaxial surface. Stomata: present in abaxial furrows; covered by epidermal projections; large, distinct hooklike protuberances in furrows overarch some of the stomata; substomatal chamber present. Mesophyll: two to three layers of palisade grading into compactly arranged spongy tissue to abaxial side; one to two layers of large translucent palisade cells radially arranged above major and minor vascular bundles. Vascular bundle: two types present, major and minor veins; major veins 18 to 22; minor veins 16 to 24 arranged radially above furrows. Major veins contain one to two large vessels, mostly one; two phloem units lying laterally in flanges of Y-shaped abaxial girder; each vascular bundle accompanied by an adaxial cap; vascular bundles completely surrounded by a distinct bundle sheath. Minor veins usually with one large vessel; abaxial and adaxial ends accompanied by sclerenchyma caps; minor veins with adaxial cap and abaxial U- or V-shaped girder completely surrounded by a bundle sheath. Crystals and tannins: not observed.

NOTE: This species and Vellozia burle-marxii share the following common characters: (a) major and minor vascular bundles and (b) distinct hooklike protuberances in furrows which overarch the lower stomata.