Abstract Detail

Recent Topics Posters

Yun, Yaeeun [1], Megan, Dickerson [2], Hodges , Powell [2], Amber, Straw [2], Baghai-Riding, Nina [2].

Plant Anatomical Observations of Viola sororia (Violaceae).

During the Spring 2021 semester, students enrolled in Dr. Baghai-Riding’s Plant Anatomy class at Delta State University, elected to do semester group projects on various herbaceous plants that exist in the Mississippi Delta. Our group selected Viola sororia Willd. (blue violet/common meadow violet), which is native to eastern and central North America. This species thrives in the Mississippi Delta and blooms from late March – early Mary. It is found in woodlands, shady banks, sandy substrates, and forest edges. It grows 3” – 8” in height, has broad heart-shaped leaves with an acute apex, and bilaterally symmetrical flowers that possess blue-violet petals with distinct purple veins and conspicuous white throats. The petioles and peduncles are superficially similar. Internal anatomical sections of its roots, stems, leaves, and flowers were made using single-edged razor blades and then stained with methylene blue or neutral red dyes. Digital photographs were taken with an Olympus Q-Color 3 camera attached to an Olympus BX43 microscope. A phase-contrast condenser was utilized when viewing transparent features such as guard cells on leaf epidermal peels. Notable features are that the leaves are amphistomatic with anisocytic stomata. Leaf petioles are cordate with two or more lateral ribs (‘wings’); a large central crescent-shaped collateral vascular bundle occurs near the center of the petiole and a smaller vascular bundle occurs in each lateral wing. Young portions of the rhizome possess several layers of lamellar collenchyma in the cortex and calcium oxalate crystals and starch grains occur throughout the parenchyma cells in the pith and cortex. Longitudinal cuts of the rhizome and root possess vessels with annular secondary thickening. Pollen is syncolporate. Fruit capsules point downward and contain ovoid seeds. The seeds possess a well-defined elaiosome, raphe, and hilum. The total combination of anatomical characters described here are unique to this species, but many similar characters are described in other species of Viola. Future work will compare the internal anatomy of other early spring herbaceous plants that exist in similar habitats throughout the Mississippi Delta; these studies may help in deducing ecological plant strategies.

1 - 700 S COURT ST APT 19, APT 19, CLEVELAND , MS, 38732, United States
2 - Delta State University , Division of Math & Sciences , 1716 Terrace Rd, Cleveland, MS, 38733, USA

Keywords:
anisocytic stomata
lamellar collenchyma
Mississippi Delta
Viola sororia.

Presentation Type: Recent Topics Poster
Session: P1, Recent Topics Posters
Location: Virtual/Virtual
Date: Thursday, July 22nd, 2021
Time: 5:00 PM(EDT)
Number: P1RT010
Abstract ID:1399
Candidate for Awards:None