Anatomy of Karst Plant: A Study On Microchirita caerulea (R.Br.) Yin Z. Wang (Gesneriaceae) From Madura Island

Abstract

Microchirita caerulea (R. Br) Yin Z.Wang is a Gesneriaceae plant endemic to Java and the Lesser Sunda Islands. The genus is a section of Henckelia with very little information in anatomical studies. The research aims to contribute to the anatomical study of the Microchirita, particularly M. caerulea from Madura. The observation made paradermal slides and transversal incisions of the leaf blade, petiole, and stem. The results showed diacytic and copericytic stomatal characteristics, with only mesophyll palisade found. The large leaf primary veins' abaxial epidermis, collenchyma, and petiole parenchyma. The vascular bundles consist of xylem and phloem in the stem's leaf stalk and petiole and phloem fibers. No sclerenchyma and secretory ducts were found on the petiole. The arrangement of the vascular bundles in the leaf bones is thought to be a new variation of the arrangement in Gesneriaceae. The arrangement of the vascular bundles on the petiole and stem resembles several species of the Henckelia genus.
 Keyword: Anatomy, Microchirita caerulea, Java, Madura, Gesneriaceae