Abstract

MARTINEZ TOSTO, Ana C.; YAGUEDDU, Cristina  and  ARRIAGA, Mirta O.. Identification and accumulation sites of ergastic substances in Cuphea glutinosa (Lythraceae) stems: Variations due to maturity and environment. Bol. Soc. Argent. Bot. [online]. 2009, vol.44, n.3-4, pp.343-349. ISSN 1851-2372.

Cuphea glutinosa Cham. et Schltdl. is widely distributed in temperate areas of America, present in the southeast sierras of Buenos Aires Province, and potentially important from industrial and medicinal points of view. The aim of this work was to determine the accumulation sites of ergastic substances and the anatomical characteristics of mature and young stem of plants growing at different conditions of water and light. Mature and young stems of plants from Sierra Bachicha, Sierra de los Padres and Sierra de los Difuntos were used. Free hand cuts were made in order to study the stem anatomy, and histochemical techniques were applied to identify starch, fats, mucilages and tannins. We confirm the presence of fats and mucilages in cells from glandular hairs and exuded drops; starch grains and tannins in different tissues. Young stems from plants growing on humid soils present more abundance of druses versus those from dry soils; while adult stems from plant growing on humid soils present more abundance of tannins. The structural differences observed either in young stems or in matures ones, may be attributed to different environment conditions that affect the individuals growth sites.

Keywords : Cuphea glutinosa; Stem anatomy; Ergastic substances location; Maturity differences; Ecological differences.

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