Leaf structural organization of Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (Gomes) LR Landrum, Myrtaceae

(Leaf structural organization of Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (Gomes) L.R. Landrum, Myrtaceae). Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (Gomes) L.R. Landrum is a native species frorn Brazil and occurs mainly in cerrado, caatinga and Atlantic rainforest vegetation. It is commonly known as "craveiro-do-mato". "louro-cravo" or "cha-de-bugre". It is a tree species whose leaves are used for cooking; they smell and taste like cloves (Syzygium aromaticum). This study describes the leaf anatomy of the species. The leaves were sliced with a microtome, stained with 1% toluidine blue and prepared on slides. The histological sections were from the medium section, between the edge and the midrib of the leaves The lower leaf epidermis has anomocytic stomata complexes and non-glandular coats. The epidermis is unicellular; its cells are covered by a thick cuticle. The mesophyll is dorsiventral. The bicollateral vascular bundles are sheathed. Idioblasts with druses, monocrystals and lisigenous secretory canals were found along the entire leaf blade. We conclude that leaf anatomy provides new information on the species, with structures common in leaves of Myrtaceae.