Morphological and Histo-Anatomical Study of Bryonia alba L. (Cucurbitaceae)

The purpose of this study consisted in the identification of the macroscopic and microscopic characters of the vegetative
and reproductive organs of Bryonia alba L., by the analysis of vegetal material, both integral and as powder. Optical microscopy
was used to reveal the anatomical structure of the vegetative (root, stem, tendrils, leaves) and reproductive (ovary, male flower
petals) organs. Histo-anatomical details were highlighted by coloration with an original combination of reagents for the double
coloration of cellulose and lignin. Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and stereomicroscopy led to the elucidation of the
structure of tector and secretory trichomes on the inferior epidermis of the leaf. Micrographic analysis of the powder obtained
from aerial parts revealed segments of each organ (e.g. stomata, trichomes) and confirmed furthermore the results obtained by
the histo-anatomical studies. Sections achieved through vegetative organs reveal typical anatomical structures: a transition to
the secondary structure for the root, a typical dicotyledons’ structure with bicollateral vascular bundles for the stem, a bifacial
structure of the leaf and stem-like structures for the tendrils and petioles, which prove they are metamorphosis of the stem.
Anatomical structure of reproductive organs was performed hereby for the first time and revealed a typical anatomical
structure for the 3-lodged ovary and a leaf-like structure of the male flower petal. Some of the results obtained confirm existing
data from the scientific literature and additional information have been provided, outlining features that were not previously
reported, such as SEM analysis of the leaf trichomes and histo-anatomical structure of the reproductive organs.