Anatomical structure of stem and leaf of Adenophora verticillata Fisch. and A. pereskiifolia (Fisch. ex Schult.)

Abstract

The paper presents the comparative analysis of the stem and leaf structure of 2 morphologically similar species Adenophora verticillata Fisch. and A. pereskiifolia (Fisch. ex Schult.) G. Don of Adenophora Fisch. (ladybell) genus from the section Platyphyllae (Borb.) Fed. For the first time the author determines the most important diagnostic and conditional-informative features, which can be used for intraspecific diagnostics. A similar anatomical structure of the stems is characteristic of all species; the stems can be diagnosed only by the presence or absence of secretion receptacles in the pith. The leaves of both types of ladybells are hypostomatic, anomocytic stomata type is identified. The epidermal cells on the both sides of the leaf are similar in shape, size and ridges of anticline membranes. The informative features in the leaf structure are the structure of mesophyll and the presence of glandular trichomes in the adaxial of epidermis.