CEROPEGIA AFRICANAR. BR.

Stem cortex has chloroplasts in the outer part of cells. Vascular cambium has just formed; therefore, not much wood is present. Vascular cambium shows no distinction between axial and radial systems. Bicollateral bundles are closed to the pith (Fig. 1D). There is an almost uninterrupted ring of extraxylary gelatinous fibers (Fig. 1E). Pith has large parenchyma cells and some laticifers.

Caudex cortex has enlarged parenchyma cells. Wood is parenchymatous and formed by successive cambium. Conjunctive tissue and secondary phloem are characteristic of this type of cambium (Fig. 1F). The axial matrix has mainly parenchyma tissue and few solitary vessels. Multiseriate rays are proliferated. It is difficult to recognize ray or axial system due to proliferation of parenchyma cells in both systems. In addition, some dark granules and latex are found in some parenchyma cells in wood. Pith has an oval shape.