Momordica rostrata, ZIMM.

Romero, Giovanna E., 2022, Stem and caudex anatomy of succulent plant species, Adansonia (3) 44 (10), pp. 81-90 : 84

MOMORDICA ROSTRATA ZIMM.

Stem ( Fig. 1G ) and caudex ( Fig. 1H, I ) have similar anatomical features. Cortex cells have abundant chloroplasts, and the inner part has a ring of parenchyma cells that are lignified. Wood is parenchymatous, it has large amount of latex and is formed by successive vascular cambium ( Fig. 1H, I ). The axial matrix has scanty axial parenchyma, libriform, septate fibers ( Fig. 2A ), and solitary vessels with circular bordered pits ( Fig. 2B ). Rays are multiseriate and ray cells have undergone proliferation, making them to be confused with the conjunctive tissue. Bands of conjunctive tissue and ray parenchyma have formed a matrix of ground parenchyma. Secondary phloem has some functional cells, and few phloem cells are collapsed.

Figures

FIG. 1. — Transverse sections of stems and caudices, unless otherwise noted: A-C, Adenium obesum (Forssk.) Roem. & Schult.; A, stem, bicollateral bundle; B, caudex, cortex laticifers and fibrous wood; C, caudex, fibrous wood, thin-walled libriform fibers, tangential section; D-F, Ceropegia africana R. Br.; D, stem, bicollateral bundles;E, stem,extraxylary gelatinous fibers;F, caudex,conjunctive tissue,parenchyma cells are proliferated in wood; G-I, Momordica rostrataZimm; G, stem, wood; H, caudex, wood; I, caudex, conjunctive tissue bordered by secondary phloem. Abbreviations: bc, bicollateral bundle; l, laticifer; p, parenchyma cells; gf, gelatinous fibers; ct, conjunctive tissue; pw, parenchymatous wood; fw, fibrous wood; sp, secondary phloem. Scale bars: 50 µm.

FIG. 2. — Transverse sections of stems and caudices, unless otherwise noted: A, B, Momordica rostrata Zimm; A, caudex, septate fibers, tangential section; B, caudex, vessels with bordered pits; C-F, Jatropha curcas L.; C, caudex, solitary vessels, wood; D, caudex, fibrous wood; E, caudex, vessels, radial section; F, caudex,thin-walled libriform fibers,parenchyma with amyloplasts,radial section;G, H, Jatropha macrantha Müll.Arg.; G, stem,diffuse fibrous wood,thin-walled libriform fibers, septate and gelatinous fibers; H, stem, axial and ray parenchyma. Abbreviations: ur, uniseriate ray; br, biseriate ray; p, parenchyma; f, fibers; sp, secondary phloem; ct, conjunctive tissue; sf, septate fibers; v, vessel; lf, libriform fibers. Scale bars: A, C-H, 50 µm; B, 10 µm.