CONTRIBUTION TO THE STUDY OF THE ANATOMICAL STRUCTURE OF ERICACEOUS LEAVES SPECIES

Abstract

The anatomical structures of the leaves of two species belonging to the Romanian Ericaceous species were studied. For the Loiseleuria procumbens Desv. leaves the structure is of ericoid type, the foliar limb having the shape of "T" letter with thick cuticle and cuticular hairs (papilla), the palisade parenchyma with 4-5 cellular layers. In Rhododendron myrtifolium the cuticle is well developed at upper side and with a great number of secretory glands of peltate types in the lower side, the palisade parenchyma being well developed. The shape of transversal section of the leaf, the presence of secretor tissues and leaves structure may be criteria for species identity or for establishing the adulteration for Ericaceous medicinal plants.