B. Papp szerk.: Studia Botanica Hungarica 32. 2001 (Budapest, 2001)

Bercu, R.; Péterfi, St.: Anatomical aspects of the leaf blade in fern Polystichum setiferum (Forsk.) Woynar

The main vein embedded in the mesophyll consists of few centrally located xylem vessels, surrounded by phloem, externally protected by a sclerenchymatous sheath. Between the main vein and the inferior epidermis there is a group of sclerenchymatous cells, larger than those between the vein and the upper one (Fig. 1 ). The single layered lower epidermis, such as the upper one, is covered by cuticle. Right to the main vein, the cells have an arched arrangement. Among the inferior epidermal cells, stomata occur (Fig. 1 ). The stomata guard cells are of Amaryllis-type, surrounded by 3-5 subsidiary cells. The subsidiary cells and the ordinary epidermal cells are similar (anomocytic type), exhibiting undulated walls and few chloroplasts (Fig. 2). CONCLUSIONS According to the present observations the pinnule of Polystichum setiferum reveals the usual succession of tissues. Both epidermis are single layered, covered Fig. 2. Portion of the lower epidermis: Ch = chloroplasts, EC = epidermal cells, GC = guard cells, O = ostiole, S = stoma, SC = subsidiary cells. x444. Orig.