Leaf anatomy of Corymbia citriodora (Hook.) K.D. Hill & L.A.S. Johnson coming from Northeast Paraná

Abstract

Given the lack of anatomical studies used in taxonomic and evolutionary analysis of Myrtaceae family, especially to the genera Corymbia, this study aimed to describe the structure and illustrate the morphology and anatomy of the leaf of C. citriodora coming from Northwest of Paraná, aiming to contribute to the Myrtaceae structural data and knowledge on the biology and taxonomy of the species.The plant material was fixed in FAA 50, subjected to the dehydration process then transferred to the infiltration step using a mixture of liquid resin over Activator Powder h (Method A). For the polymerization Medium B which consists in mixing of the medium over Hardner (curing agent) was used. This solution was placed in polyethylene molds (Histomold) and plant tissue fragments were arranged in transverse and longitudinal section. After assembly of the cut blocks to visualize anatomical structures by optical microscopy was performed. The morphological and anatomical features found in the present study are those commonly found in representatives of the Myrtaceae family and the genus Corymbia. The study of leaf anatomy must be considered in phylogeny, since there is promising characters, such as the format of the common cells of the epidermis, the presence or not of trichomes, secretory cavities present onthe adaxial phase and/or abaxial, among others, which enable taxonomic classification of the species aswell as providing important for the construction of phylogenetic data.