Taxonomic value of histochemical features of the style in early lineages of Asteraceae

Abstract

In this paper we examine lipophilic substances, tannins, proteins, reducing carbohydrates, starch, and oxalate salts in early lineages of Asteraceae to test if they are a useful complement to classification studies. Styles of mature flowers of 44 species were processed according to plant histochemical techniques and observed by means of a light microscope. Lipophilic compounds were always present in the cuticle and cell walls, and in some species were located inside the cells. Proteins were located in the style cell walls and cell interior of most of the analyzed species. No tannins were found. In general, there is a correlation in the presence of reducing sugars and proteins. Starch granules and oxalate salts were found in the style parenchyma of a few species. Cytoplasmic content of lipophilic compounds, proteins, and reducing sugars predominates in Barnadesioideae and Nassauvieae (Mutisioideae), and histochemical similarities were found among members of Gochnatioideae.