Vellozia caput-ardeae L. B. Sm. & Ayensu

Vellozia caput-ardeae L. B. Smith & Ayensu

SPECIMENS EXAMINED.—L. B. Smith and Ayensu 15989.

SURFACE VIEW.—Hairs: none present. Epidermis: adaxial cells mostly square, few rounded; thin walled. Abaxial cells rectangular; thin walled. Stomata: paracytic, 18 × 12 μm; present on abaxial surface.

TRANSVERSE SECTION OF LAMINA.—Dorsiventral; V-shaped with small median adaxial groove present. Adaxial surface slightly undulating; abaxial surface furrowed one-half thickness of blade. Epidermis; cells dome shaped on abaxial and adaxial surface; few square on adaxial surface; walls thin on both surfaces. Subjacent to adaxial epidermis are three to four layers parenchyma cells interspersed with some sclerenchyma strands. Clusters of radially arranged parenchyma cells are intermittently present subjacent to adaxial epidermis. Below parenchyma cells and sclerenchyma strands is a distinct layer of parenchyma cells. Cuticle: thin and ridged on abaxial and adaxial surfaces. Stomata: present in abaxial furrows; substomatal chamber not observed; somewhat protected by projections in furrow. Mesophyll: one to two layers translucent palisade cells radially arranged above vascular bundles and furrows. Three to four layers small palisade cells present between translucent rows; small palisade grading into compact spongy tissue. Vascular bundle: 49; few commissural bundles present. One to two vessels present in each vascular bundle, mostly one. Two phloem units laterally arranged in flanges of thin Y-shaped abaxial girder. Adaxial cap present on each bundle, but very small. Bundle sheath completely surrounding vascular bundle. Few abaxial sclerenchyma strands present. Crystals: none observed. Tannins: few present.

Vellozia caput-ardeae là một loài thực vật có hoa trong họ Velloziaceae. Loài này được L.B.Sm. & Ayensu miêu tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1976.