Ontogenesis of the anastomosed laticifers of Allamanda cathartica (Apocynaceae) and the chemical nature of the stem latex.

Abstract

Laticifers are secretive structures with important roles in controlling abiotic and biotic stress through the external release of viscous and bioactive latex emulsions composed of alkaloids, terpenes, flavonoids, proteins, and mucilage. Allamanda cathartica is an attractive ornamental neotropical shrub that produces abundant latex with medicinal potential. The laticifers of this species, their origins, structural types, and distribution in the primary and secondary structures of the stem were investigated, and the chemical nature of latex was determined. Anatomical, histochemical, and ultrastructural evaluations of the stem apex were performed through light and electronic microscopy. Laticifers are abundant in the primary structure, being distributed in the cortex, outer primary phloem, and pith. Their branching, anastomosing structural type develops by the dissolution of the transverse and lateral walls of precursor meristematic cells, followed by protoplast fusion. The laticifers in the secondary structure are distributed amid the axial parenchyma cells of the phloem. The latex of A. cathartica is an emulsion composed mainly of mucilage and terpenes, and it is the first time that this laticifer system has been described.