Translucent Glands and Secretory Canals in Hypericum perforatum L. (Hypericaceae): Morphological, Anatomical and Histochemical Studies During the Course of Ontogenesis
Year: 2001
Type: article
Abstract: Hypericum perforatum L., traditionally used in folk medicine as a therapeutic plant, is today being evaluated for its antidepressant and antiretroviral activities.The species is characterized by the presence of dierent types of secretory structure: translucent glands or cavities, black nodules and secretory canals.The aim of this work was to characterize the translucent glands and secretory canals in both the ¯oral and vegetative parts, from morphological, anatomical and histochemical points of view.Translucent glands consist of a sub-epidermal cavity delimited by two layers of cells.There are three types of secretory canal: type A, with a narrow lumen, and types B and C, both with a wide lumen, but with dierent patterns of development.Histochemical tests showed that all these structures contain alkaloids and lipids but not pectic-like substances and proteins.Tests for resins, essential oils and tannins gave dierent responses in dierent parts of the plant.
Source: Annals of Botany
Author: D Ciccarelli
Institution: University of Pisa
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2136702238