Morphology and anatomy of Rhipsalis cereuscula, Rhipsalis floccosa subsp. hohenauensis and Lepismium cruciforme (Cactaceae) seedlings

Resumen

Rhipsalis cereuscula Haw., Rhipsalis floccosa subsp. hohenauensis (F. Ritter) Barthlott et N. P. Taylor and
Lepismium cruciforme (Vellozo) Miquel are obligatory epiphytes that occur frequently on tree trunks of remnant
forests in Maringa, Paraná state, Brazil. Morphological and anatomical analyses regarding the seedlings were carried
out. The seedlings were prepared according to techniques of resin inclusions and histochemical tests. Seedlings were
phanerocotyledonar and originated from seeds with operculum. The root was diarch and the hypocotyl presented
transition root-stem structure. The cotyledons were sessile, reduced, with homogeneous mesophyll. The epicotyl
(phylloclade) presented a lot of parenchyma and reduced vascular cylinder. The 3 studied species showed anatomical
characteristics similar to those described for species of Lepismium and Rhipsalis as well as other cacti.