Morphological and anatomical structure of leaves of Artemisia abrotanum (Asteraceae) introduced in Zhytomyr Polissya

Abstract

The upper and the lower epidermises of Artemisia abrotanum introduced in Zhytomyr Polissya are covered with cuticle. The leaf blades are amphistomatic, with oval anomocytic stomata. On adaxial and abaxial epidermal surfaces present indumentary trichomes of various types. In particular, there are located oval multi-cellular glandular trichomes, which are typical for Asteraceae. Secretory tissues of internal secretion are represented by essential oil containers. Leaf blade of A. abrotanum has isobilateral structure with collateral vascular bundles. A. abrotanum reveals certain xeromorphic traits: small and compact leaves, presence of covering trichomes, more developed palisade parenchyma in comparison with spongy one, and thick walls of epidermal cells. Investigated secretory structures and non-glandular trichomes are considered taxonomical characters and can be applied for identification of pharmaceutical raw material of A. abrotanum.