Nanuza plicata (Mart.) L. B. Sm. & Ayensu

Vellozia plicata Martius

SPECIMENS EXAMINED.—Porto 29572; Frazão s.n.; Duarte 3635-Gomes 420; Lima 192; Brade 15947.

SURFACE VIEW.—Hairs: present in clusters as well as in fingerlike multicellular projections. Epidermis: adaxial cells almost rounded; few square to rectangular; abaxial cells square to rectangular, few rounded; walls thin on adaxial and abaxial surfaces. Stomata: paracytic, 15 × 6 μm; present on abaxial and adaxial surfaces.

TRANSVERSE SECTION OF LAMINA.—Dorsiventral; W-shaped with margins turned inversely. Adaxial surface conspicuously undulating in some specimens; abaxial furrows very large in places. Entire lamina distinctly corrugated. Epidermis: adaxial and abaxial cells rounded to dome shaped; cells on both surfaces very thick walled. Subjacent to adaxial epidermis occur one to two layers of sclerenchyma strands interspersed with parenchyma cells. Below sclerenchyma strands is a layer of parenchyma cells. Cuticle: thin and slightly ridged on

both surfaces. Stomata: present on abaxial surface as well as furrows; almost flush with epidermal surface; present on adaxial surface; substomatal chamber present. Mesophyll: three layers of palisade tissue grading into compactly arranged spongy tissue. Vascular bundles: consisting of two types, major and minor veins; major veins 11–15; minor veins 30–63; no commissural bundles observed. Major veins have three to four large vessels. Two phloem units arranged laterally in flanges of U-shaped abaxial girder; adaxial girder present on each major vein, often extending close to adaxial epidermis; each major vascular bundle completely surrounded by a bundle sheath. Sclerenchyma strands present between abaxial epidermis and a layer of parenchyma cells of some specimens (Duarte 3635-Gomes 420; Lima 192; Porto 29572; Frazão s.n.; Brade 15947). Crystals: not observed. Tannins: few present.

NOTE: This species is very distinctive because of the plicate habit of its leaves, the presence of major and minor vascular bundles, and its striking resemblance to Vellozia triquetra (Gardner 2735).

Vellozia triquetra Pohl

SPECIMENS EXAMINED.—Gardner 2735.

SURFACE VIEW.—Hairs: absent. Epidermis: cells round to rectangular on both surfaces; walls thin.

Stomata: paracytic, 18 × 12 μm; present on abaxial surface.

TRANSVERSE SECTION OF LAMINA.—Dorsiventral; roughly V-shaped with lamina highly corrugated. Both surfaces deeply undulating. Epidermis: adaxial and abaxial cells rounded to dome shaped, thick walled. Subjacent to adaxial epidermis are sclerenchyma strands interspersed with parenchyma cells. Below sclerenchyma strands is a distinct layer of parenchryma cells. Cuticle: thin and slightly ridged on adaxial and abaxial surfaces. Stomata: present in abaxial surface; flush with epidermis; substomatal chamber present. Mesophyll: two to three layers of indistinct palisade tissue grading into compactly arranged spongy tissue. Some large translucent cells present between major veins. Large lacunae present in mesophyll especially toward abaxial side. Vascular bundles: two types present; major veins 15; minor veins 86; no commissural bundles observed. Major veins with one to two large vessels; two phloem units lying laterally in flanges of abaxial crescentiform or U-shaped girder; adaxial cap present on each vascular bundle and extending almost to adaxial epidermis. Each vascular bundle completely surrounded by a bundle sheath. Minor veins have one to two larger vessels and a single phloem unit; few sclerenchyma strands, completely surrounded by bundle sheath. Some abaxial strands present between abaxial epidermis and a single layer of parenchyma cells. Crystals: none observed. Tannins: present.

NOTE: This species is in every respect similar to Vellozia plicata.

Nanuza plicata is a plant species in the family Velloziaceae, endemic to Brazil.

Nanuza plicata contains amentoflavone and xerophytolic acid.