Aspects of leaf anatomy of tropical kudzu related to water and energy balance

Abstract

Tropical kudzu (Pueraria phaseoloides Benth, Leguminosae-Faboideae) has been established in southeastern Brazil in a region characterized by the transition between subtropical and tropical biomes. The seasonal changes in temperature and water availability found in this region are very distinct from those found in the region where tropical kudzu is native. The objective of this paper was to describe characteristics of leaflet anatomy related to water and energy balance in tropical kudzu. The lower epidermis of tropical kudzu showed a higher frequency of stomata (213 stomata.mm^-2) than the upper epidermis (101 stomata.mm^-2). Trichomes were present in both lower and upper epidermis. The average number of trichomes per square millimeter was 9 for the upper epidermis and 13 for the lower epidermis. The average trichome length was 300 mm for the upper epidermis and 460 mm for the lower epidermis. Cuticle thickness was not considerably different between lower and upper epidermis. The leaflet blade consisted basically of two layers (upper and lower) of unicellular epidermis and two layers of both palisade and spongy parenchyma. One layer of paraveinal mesophyll was found between palisade and spongy parenchyma.