Leaf anatomy of Varronia polycephala Lam. (Cordiaceae)

Abstract Varronia polycephala is a medicinal plant used as a substitute of V. curassavica (the popular “erva baleeira”) in some traditional communities. This paper aims to describe and illustrate the leaf anatomy of V. polycephala. The results show that V. polycephala presents a distinct type of non-glandular trichome in abundance on the abaxial leaf surface, as well as a single type of glandular trichome on the same surface. Other characteristics observed in V. polycephala include non-glandular trichomes with cystoliths, crystal sand idioblasts, shape of the petiole in cross section, type of vascular bundles and ring collenchyma in the petiole. Histochemical results suggest similarities with V. curassavica, showing the pharmacological potential of V. polycephala. Possible ecological functions of structures and substances are discussed.