Scapes of Aechmea bromeliifolia, A. castelnavii, A. mertensii (Bromelioideae), Dyckia duckei, D. paraensis, D. racemosa (Pitcairnioideae), Tillandsia adpressiflora, T. didistachae and T. paraensis (Tillandsioideae) were collected in Amazon regions (MT) to describe the anatomical characterization of the species and point out adaptations and structures useful to a taxonomic delimitation. The scapes analyzed have the epidermis, cortex and vascular cylinder distinct, with mucilage canals in the cortex, continuous endodermis and the presence of both simple and compound collateral vascular bundles. The presence of epidermis with cell walls thickened by lignin and idioblasts containing raphids are common to Aechmea and Tillandsia while the presence of a continuous sclerotic ring (pericycle) and vascular bundles concentrated in the outermost part of the vascular cylinder are common to Dyckia and Tillandsia. The occurrence of a discontinuous pericycle is an exclusive character of Aechmea. The presence of air canals in the cortex is an exclusive character of species of Tillandsia. The studied species are epiphytes and present such structures adapted to their habit as: epidermal, hypoderm and pericycle with cell walls thickened; air canals; mucilage and raphids idioblasts.
Bromelioideae; Pitcairnioideae; scape anatomy; Tillandsioideae
