6- ANATOMÍA VEGETATIVA DE Morrenia odorata (Hook. et Arn.) Lindley (ASCLEPIADACEAE) (Vegetative anatomy of Morrenia odorata (Hook. et Arn.) Lindley (Asclepiadaceae))

The genus Morrenia, in Argentine, is formed by five endemic species and nine native ones. They are perennial herbs, shrubs and lianas that are characterized to present latex. M. odorata is used for its medicinal properties (galactogoga, antiinflammatory, tranquilizing) and nutritional ones (fruits). With the exception of few anatomical observations published by Cortadi et al (1999), other data are not known about the anatomy of the genus. In this work the primary structure of the vegetative organs of M. odorata is described. The stems have monostratified epidermis with apiculate stomata. The stele presents four bicollateral bundles. Laticifers and idioblasts with druses are observed. In the roots the epidermis is monostratified, the diarch stele and the laticifers are in the cortex. The leaves present monostratified epidermis, apiculate stomata, bicollateral bundles and laticifers. Three foliar morphotypes in relation to the age of the leaf were differentiated and anatomical differences among them were studied.