A preliminary micromorphological analysis of Eleocharis (Cyperaceae) achenes for systematic potential

1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (7) ◽  
pp. 1533-1541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis J. Menapace

Eleocharis R. Br. achenes were examined employing scanning electron microscopy to ascertain the systematic potential of the achene wall. It was found that the epidermis has useful microscopic characters to assist in the systematic assessment of Eleocharis. Acid-treated achenes, with their cuticle and outer periclinal cell walls removed, revealed micromorphological differences in epidermal features among the 26 taxa studied. Characters of taxonomic interest include the configuration of the anticlinal cell walls, the contour of the cell lumens, in addition to the presence or absence of lumen pits, lumen depressions, and silica bodies. Such characters may be of value in assessing the infrageneric ranks of Svenson. Preliminary results support the Aciculares, Chaetarieae, Leiocarpeae, Multicaules, Ovatae, Palustres, Sulcatae, and Truncatae as natural taxa. In contrast, current data suggest that the Pauciflorae, Ocreatae, Rigidae, and Tenuissimae are unnatural entities. Key words: Cyperaceae, Eleocharis, SEM, achene, micromorphology.

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (12) ◽  
pp. 1651-1659 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. L. Consaul ◽  
S. G. Aiken

Morphology of the intercostal palea region of 34 Festuca species found in North America was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. Palea epidermal features are most diverse in the palea apical region and fully developed in florets approaching anthesis. The intercostal region has long cells 3–15 times longer than wide, with walls that vary from slightly to prominently thickened, and from almost straight to strongly undulate. This variation was observed among paleas collected from different locations and sometimes even on a single palea. The distribution of short cells, almost square in outline, among the long cells varied with species from solitary to paired and from abundant to sparse. Four forms of trichomes were recorded: papillae, hook trichomes, prickle hairs, and macrohairs, with one form usually predominating per species. Silicon was detected in some short cells and commonly in the tips of trichomes. A key to species groups is presented. Key words: scanning electron microscopy, palea, trichomes, silicon, epidermal features, Festuca.


1981 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Blanchette ◽  
John B. Sutherland ◽  
Don L. Crawford

The greenish-brown margin of discolored wood in three living silver maple trees, Acer saccharinum L., was examined by scanning electron microscopy and microbiological culture techniques. Micrographs of xylem vessels revealed filamentous structures; some of them appeared to be actinomycetous hyphae. Actinomycetes identified as Streptomyces parvullus Waksman & Gregory, S. sparsogenes Owen, Dietz & Camiener, and a third Streptomyces strain were isolated repeatedly from discolored wood of each tree. These isolates grew in liquid media in the presence of 0.1% (w/v) concentrations of several phenols. Although other phenols included in the test were not substantially degraded, p-hydroxybenzoic acid was utilized as a carbon source by S. parvullus. All three actinomycetes inhibited growth of selected wood-inhabiting fungi when paired on malt agar. When inoculated on sterilized sapwood and discolored wood from silver maple, the actinomycetes colonized vessel walls and occlusions, but were not observed to decay cell walls.


IAWA Journal ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hisashi Abe ◽  
Ryo Funada

We examined the orientation of cellulose microfibrils (Mfs) in the cell walls of tracheids in some conifer species by field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and developed a model on the basis of our observations. Mfs depositing on the primary walls in differentiating tracheids were not well-ordered. The predominant orientation of the Mfs changed from longitudinal to transverse, as the differentiation of tracheids proceeded. The first Mfs to be deposited in the outer layer of the secondary wall (S1 layer) were arranged as an S-helix. Then the orientation of Mfs changed gradually, with rotation in the clockwise direction as viewed from the lumen side of tracheids, from the outermost to the innermost S1 layer. Mfs in the middle layer of the secondary wall (S2 layer) were oriented in a steep Z-helix with a deviation of less than 15° within the layer. The orientation of Mfs in the inner layer of the secondary wall (S3 layer) changed, with rotation in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from the lumen side, from the outermost to the innermost S3 layer. The angle of orientation of Mfs that were deposited on the innermost S3 layer varied among tracheids from 40° in a Z-helix to 20° in an S-helix.


1970 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Tofazzal Islam ◽  
A.K.M. Golam Sarwar ◽  
Hasna Hena Begum ◽  
Toshiaki Ito

Not available.Keywords: Leaf epidermis; Rice; Scanning electron microscopy (SEM); Slender macro hair. DOI: 10.3329/bjpt.v16i2.3931 Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 16(2): 177-180, 2009 (December)


2017 ◽  
pp. 66
Author(s):  
Aída Carrillo-Ocampo ◽  
E.M. Engleman

With methods of light microscopy, histochemical staining and scanning electron microscopy, it was found that the ovule in the seed of Tigridia pavonia (Iridaceae) is anatropous, bitegmic, and crassinucellate. During development, the exotegmen is crushed and the endotegmen persists with tannins in the lumens and in the walls, which also react positively for lignin. The exotesta contains tannins and its outer walls are convex, thickened, and cuticularized. The mesotesta has multiple layers, accumulates abundant lipids, and forms a bulge in the chalaza. The cell walls of the endotesta collapse and accumulate tannins. In the chalaza, a hypostasal cushion contains tannins in the lumens and in the walls, which also react positively for lignin. At the micropylar end of the seed there is an operculum which consists of: a) a slightly crushed exotegmen, b) an endotegmen with cuticular thickenings that are concentric with respect to the micropyle, c) hemispherical deposists of cutin on the anticlinal walls of the endotegmen, and c) a thin layer of endosperm that covers the radicle. During its cellular stage of development, the endosperm has conspicuous transfer walls at the chalazal end next to the nucella. The embryo is small and has a conical cotyledon.


1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (9) ◽  
pp. 1345-1353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald M. Britton ◽  
Daniel F. Brunton

A new interspecific hybrid in Isoetes, I. maritima Underw. × I. howellii Engelm., is delineated and described from the Shuswap Highlands region of British Columbia by means of cytology and scanning electron microscopy of spores. Isoetes × marensis D.M. Britton and D.F. Brunton, hyb.nov. is the name proposed for this taxon. It is triploid (3x; 2n = 33) and is believed to produce only sterile and (or) aborted spores. Hybrid plants have polymorphic spores that demonstrate size and surface ornamentation features intermediate between those of the putative parents. Three populations were examined, each growing with both of the putative parents in silt and sand among granite cobble over clay along an emergent lakeshore. Isoetes × marensis is the first described North American hybrid involving an amphibious Isoetes. It is expected to be a rare taxon owing to the restricted sympatric area of the putative parents and their tendency to occupy different habitats. Key words: Isoetes, Isoetes howellii, Isoetes maritima, hybrid, British Columbia.


1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 757-761 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Untiedt ◽  
K. Müller

Lyophyllum palustre (Peck) Singer, a basidiomycete (Tricholomataceae) parasitizing Sphagnum, was examined for points of contact between hyphae and Sphagnum cells with the help of light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Results indicate that the fungus attacks Sphagnum cells by penetrating cell walls and altering host cell protosplasm. In addition, the formation of additional partitioning cell walls in attacked living Sphagnum cells was observed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 1048-1054 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunzhen Zheng ◽  
Daniel J. Cosgrove ◽  
Gang Ning

AbstractWe have used field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) to study the high-resolution organization of cellulose microfibrils in onion epidermal cell walls. We frequently found that conventional “rule of thumb” conditions for imaging of biological samples did not yield high-resolution images of cellulose organization and often resulted in artifacts or distortions of cell wall structure. Here we detail our method of one-step fixation and dehydration with 100% ethanol, followed by critical point drying, ultrathin iridium (Ir) sputter coating (3 s), and FESEM imaging at a moderate accelerating voltage (10 kV) with an In-lens detector. We compare results obtained with our improved protocol with images obtained with samples processed by conventional aldehyde fixation, graded dehydration, sputter coating with Au, Au/Pd, or carbon, and low-voltage FESEM imaging. The results demonstrated that our protocol is simpler, causes little artifact, and is more suitable for high-resolution imaging of cell wall cellulose microfibrils whereas such imaging is very challenging by conventional methods.


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