ABSTRACT
The present study deals with the leaf anatomy of Blutaparon portulacoides (A. St.-Hil.) Mears. (Amaranthaceae), Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R. Br. and I. imperati (Vahl) Griseb. (Convolvulaceae), Canavalia rosea (Sw.) DC. and Sophora tomentosa L. (Leguminosae), Sporobolus virginicus (L.) Kunth (Poaceae) and Miegia maritima (Aubl.) Willd. (Cyperaceae). Most investigated species have succulent leaves and single-layered epidermis coated with a thick cuticle. Trichome densities varied among the studied species. Stomata are present on only one or both surfaces and the guard cells occur at same level of the epidermal layer or in depressions. Aquiferous tissues are observed in all species, as well as fibers, crystals and secretory structures. The mesophyll has dorsiventral, isobilateral or Kranz strutucture, according to the species. The leaf structure of all studied species has shown xeromorphic characters.
Key words:
leaf anatomy; saline environment; sandy coastal plains ("restinga")