A study of Some Morphological and Anatomical Aspects of Anthurium andreanum Lind.

Abstract

Anthurium andreanum Lind. is a perennial,. herbaceous monocotyledon in the family Araceae with cordate leaves and flowers. The commercial "flower" is an inflorescence consisting of conspicuous bract (spathe) and protruding rachis (spadix), on which minute perfect flowers are borne helically. The flowers are protogynous; the stigma is receptive before the pollen is shed. Anatomically, the spathe has a uniseriate upper and lower epidermis,one or two layers of hypodermal cells, and 10 to 12 layers of spongy parenchyma cells. Anthocyanin is localized in the hypodermal cells. The leaf blade is similar to the spathe, except for two layers of palisade parenchyma cells immediately below the upper epidermis. Venation is netted. Chloroplasts are dispersed throughout the mesophyll but are more concentrated in the palisade cells. The peduncle, petiole, and stem are typically monocotyledonous in structure. Epidermal cells cover the cortex, a layer of sclerified parenchyma cells, and the ground tissue. Vascular bundles are dispersed throughout the groundtissue. Roots are cylindrical, fleshy, epiphytic, and adventitious. The epidermis is developed as a velamen. Raphide and druse crystals are found throughout the plant. Above-ground parts have a thick, waxy cuticle.