ANALYSIS OF THE STRUCTURAL AND ULTRASTRUCTURAL ANATOMY OF SYMPHONIA GLOBULIFERA L. F. (CLUSIACEAE) LEAVES

Symphonia globulifera L.f. (Anani) is an arboreal species, which occurs in the Amazon with antimalarial and antimicrobial properties, especially in the treatment of skin inflammations. It is also used as a general tonic and laxative for pregnant women and its sap/latex is used against rheumatism and tumors. The utilization of natural products from plant origin implies in pharmacobotanical quality control, which consist of the technical specifications of the species. Anatomical description of the leaves and petioles of Symphonia globulifera L. f. were performed. Epidermal cells on both sides of the leaves were observed; they are heterodimensional and polygonal. The stomata are anomocytic and were found only on the abaxial surface. The petiole is plan-convex coated with quadrangular cells and thick cutinization. The results are relevant to the anatomical characterization of the species since data on leaf anatomy of S. globulifera are scarce.