ANATOMICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE LEAF TRICHILIUM AND MÜLLERIAN BODIES OF CECROPIA PELTATA L.

Abstract

The anatomical development of trichilia and Müllerian bodies of Cecropia peltata was investigated at the light microscope level. The petiole base is initiated in a normal manner and the abaxial surface becomes keel‐shaped during later stages of development. At maturity the trichilium is well supplied with vascular tissue but no transfer cells were observed. Before Müllerian body development, trichilium epidermal cells become modified into two types of trichomes. Müllerian bodies are initiated in sub‐epidermal tissue and by continued cell division and expansion reach a size of 1 mm wide X 3 mm in length. There is no storage polysaccharide present during early stages of Müllerian body development. Glycogen production and storage begins as the food body reaches three‐fourths final size and continues after cell division ceases. The mature Müllerian body is mutlicellular and rich in lipid and glycogen.