Anatomical Characterization of Bougainvillea spectabilis

A Special Problem

Presented by: Group AWESOME

Introduction
Bougainvillea

spectabilis, commonly called as Bogambilya, is a woody shrub up to a height of 30 ft. with thorny stems and long branches, ovate leaves and flowers which usually occur in threes and enclosed in colorful bracts. Bougainvillea spectabilis is the first species under Family Nyctaginaceae to be recorded and was named after Louis Antoine de Bougainville.

Bogambilya

is widely cultivated across the country as an ornamental, but has also many medicinal properties.

Significance of the Study

This

study emphasizes the importance of examining the anatomy of Bougainvillea spectabilis in understanding how its internal structure facilitates physiological processes.

This

study also relates the internal structure of Bogambilya to fundamental principles of anatomy common to all eudicots.

Limitations of the Study

The

study is limited to associating the internal structure of Bougainvillea spectabilis to the physiological processes it undergoes. Only good cross sections prepared were observed and viewed under the microscope. No treatments were subjected to the plant prior to sectioning.

Methodology
Cross

sections of the stem, petiole, leaf, spine and root were made from the fresh specimens collected. The sections prepared were stained with safranin and fast green. Stained sections were viewed under the microscope.

Results and Discussion

STEM
Transverse

sections made from the young stem revealed a uniseriate epidermis with several multicellular trichomes, a cortex composed of collenchymatous and chlorenchymatous cells, secondary vascular tissues, and pith enclosed by a ring of fibers with scattered vascular bundles embedded on it.

A. Cross section of the stem B. Central pith region of the stem C. Magnified view of the cortex showing angular collenchyma

Angular

collenchyma, sclerified parenchyma and ring of fibers provide extra protection and support to the growing tissues of the stem. Chlorenchyma also signifies the photosynthetic activity of the stem.

SPINE
Cross

sections show a well-developed and thick periderm and an underlying ring of fibers and sclerified parenchyma. Beneath the ring of sclerified parenchyma is the central pith with scattered small vascular bundles.

A. Young Spine B. Mature Spine C. Cross section of Spine

Young

spines are photosynthetic but their photosynthetic abilities stop upon maturity and their vascular system collapse. This is an adaptation of the plant to save its energy sources and divert them to other parts.

PETIOLE
Tranverse

sections of the petiole reveal numerous trichomes on the thin epidermis, a cortical parenchyma and vascular bundles arranged in a circles encircling the pith.

A. Cross section of the petiole

ROOTS

The sections showed the formation of two arches of phloem that surrounds two protoxylem poles with metaxylem in between. The root also exhibits a thick layer of cortical parenchyma which underlies from the epidermis. Root hairs were observed.

A. Cross section revealing thin epidermis with thick cortical parenchyma B. Cross section revealing the diarch arrangement of vascular tissues

Leaf

The midrib shows a thick and defined layer of parenchymatous cells just after the layer of thin lower epidermis. Beneath the layer of parenchyma cells are vascular bundles arranged concentrically around a pith-like region.

A. Alternate phyllotaxy of the leaves B. Cross section of the midrib of the leaves

The

epidermis of the leaf is covered by a thin cuticle which prevents water loss due to the hot environment. Trichomes are also observed which helps in screening out radiation from the sun, protects against pests and reduces water loss by forming a buffer against air flow.

Summary
Most

anatomical features of the Bougainvillea spectabilis is common to all plants that grow in temperate or hot environment. Special features, however, are the spines, raphide crystals in cells and the characteristic anomalous secondary growth.