Vellozia magdalenae L. B. Smith & Ayensu

Vellozia magdalenae L. B. Smith & Ayensu

SPECIMENS EXAMINED.—Lima and Brade 13298, 14288.

SURFACE VIEW.—Hairs: absent. Epidermis: cells rounded, square to rectangular on both surfaces; thin walled. Stomata: paracytic, 18 × 15 μm; present on abaxial surface.

TRANSVERSE SECTION OF LAMINA.—Dorsiventral; V-shaped with small median adaxial groove. Adaxial surface slightly undulating; abaxial surface furrowed about one-third the thickness of blade. Epidermis: adaxial cells dome shaped to square and rectangular; walls slightly thickened. Abaxial cells rounded to dome shaped; thin walled. Subjacent to adaxial epidermis occur one to two layers of parenchyma cells interspersed with sclerenchyma strands. Below parenchyma layers is a distinct layer of parenchyma cells. Cuticle: fairly thick on both adaxial and abaxial surfaces; slightly ridged on abaxial. Stomata: present in abaxial furrows; surrounded with epidermal projections in furrows, small substomatal chamber observed. Mesophyll: distinct two- to three-layered palisade tissue grading into fairly compact spongy tissue; cells less compact toward abaxial surface. One to two layers of large translucent cells arranged radially above vascular bundles and on furrows. Vascular bundles: 18 to 19; no commissural bundles observed. One to two large vessels present in vascular bundles, mostly one. Two phloem units arranged laterally in flanges of Y-shaped, sometimes partial abaxial girder. Adaxial caps present on all vascular bundles. Abaxial sclerenchyma strands present between abaxial epidermis and a layer of parenchyma cells. Bundle sheath completely surrounding each vascular bundle. Crystals and tannins: none observed.

NOTE: The two specimens are identical except for the adaxial portion of midvein that is flattened in Lima & Brade 13298, but pointed in Lima and Brade 14288.