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Root and leaf anatomy of some terrestrial representatives of the Cranichideae tribe (Orchidaceae)

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An Erratum to this article was published on 24 April 2015

Abstract

The Orquidaceae family has more than 25,000 species, of which 20 % are terrestrial Cranichideae mainly belonging to the tribe, which is inserted in Orchidoideae, one of the five subfamilies of the Orchidaceae. This group of terrestrial orchids presents a confusing taxonomy and is a poorly known group in terms of their vegetative anatomy in opposition to the epiphytic representatives that have been extensively investigated. This paper describes the root and leaf anatomy of ten species of Cranichideae tribe found in Brazil, belonging to subtribes Cranichidinae, Goodyerinae, and Spiranthinae, comparing their organization to those of the epiphytic plants. We also point out some features that can be useful for the characterization of each subtribe. The roots have studied characteristics that may assist in the absorption and retention of water as the occurrence of velamen and exodermis system, and in the presence of tilossomos Cranichidinae and Spiranthinae. The leaves are narrow with a homogeneous mesophyll, covered by uniseriate epidermis and covered by thin cuticle. The xylem cells are arranged in pairs or inverted V-shape, as in the other orchids Cranichideae tribe.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Prof. Edwin W. Taylor for the English revision of this manuscript and the FAPESP (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo) for the financial support (2011/04474-1). MG Sajo thanks CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico) for the fellowship.

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  1. Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP, Avenida, 24 A, 1515, Bela Vista, Rio Claro, São Paulo, CEP 13506-900, Brazil

    Rita de Cássia Andreota & Maria das Graças Sajo

  2. Instituto de Botânica, Secretaria Estadual do Meio Ambiente, Seção de Orquidário do Estado, Avenida, Miguel Estefano, 3687, Água Funda, São Paulo, São Paulo, CEP 04301-012, Brazil

    Fábio de Barros

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  1. Rita de Cássia Andreota
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Correspondence to Rita de Cássia Andreota.

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de Cássia Andreota, R., de Barros, F. & das Graças Sajo, M. Root and leaf anatomy of some terrestrial representatives of the Cranichideae tribe (Orchidaceae). Braz. J. Bot 38, 367–378 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40415-015-0133-2

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