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Foliar secretory trichomes of Ocimum obovatum (Lamiaceae): micromorphological structure and histochemistry

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Abstract

This study characterises the micromorphology, ultrastructure and main chemical constituents of the foliar glandular trichomes of Ocimum obovatum using light and electron microscopy and a variety of histochemical tests. Two types of glandular trichomes occur on the leaves: large peltate and small capitate. The head of each peltate trichome is made up of four broad head cells in one layer. The head of each capitate trichome is composed of two broad head cells in one layer (type I) or a single oval head cell (type II, rare). In peltate heads, secretory materials are gradually transported to the subcuticular space via fracture in the four sutures at the connecting walls of the head cells. Release to the head periphery occurs through opposite fracture in the four sutures in the head cuticle. In type I capitate trichomes, release of the secretions to the subcuticular space occurs via a pore between the two head cells, and release to the head periphery occurs through the opposite pore in the head cuticle. In type II capitate trichomes, the secreted material is released from the head cell through a ruptured particular squared area at the central part of the head cuticle. These secretion modes are reported for the first time in the family Lamiaceae. Histochemical tests showed that the secretory materials in the glandular trichomes are mainly essential oils, lipophilic substances and polysaccharides. Large peltate trichomes contain a large quantity of these substances than the small capitate trichomes. Ultrastructural evidence suggests that the plastids produce numerous lipid droplets, and the numerous polysaccharide small vesicles are derived from Golgi bodies.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the National Research Foundation, South Africa for financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P/Bag X54001, Durban, 4000, South Africa

    Yougasphree Naidoo, Nazeera Kasim, Ashley Nicholas & Gonasageran Naidoo

  2. Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Suez, Egypt

    Samia Heneidak

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  1. Yougasphree Naidoo
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  2. Nazeera Kasim
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Correspondence to Yougasphree Naidoo or Samia Heneidak.

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Naidoo, Y., Kasim, N., Heneidak, S. et al. Foliar secretory trichomes of Ocimum obovatum (Lamiaceae): micromorphological structure and histochemistry. Plant Syst Evol 299, 873–885 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-013-0770-5

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