Abstract

In the extreme north of Chile, the genus Tillandsia L. (Bromeliaceae) is represented by threenative species, T. marconae Till & Vitek and T. landbeckii Phil., both of terrestrial atmospheric habit,and T. virescens Ruiz & Pav. of saxicolous habit. There is little information on the foliar structures thatallow its establishment in arid environments. Therefore, we studied the leaf anatomy of each of theseterrestrial and saxicolous atmospheric species from different altitudinal levels (1000 and 3000 m) inthe Arica and Parinacota regions of the Atacama Desert. All populations are monospecific. The studyconsidered scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, and the fingernail polish technique.The surface distribution of stomata and trichomes of the species is described. The studied speciespresented hypostomatic leaves, with anomocytic stomata and peltate trichomes on the abaxial andadaxial sides. Trichomes are formed by a central disc of four equal-sized empty cells, surroundedby a peripheral series of several concentric rings, the innermost of eight, the second of sixteen andthe outermost of multiple elongated cells, one cell thick, that form the flexible asymmetric wings.The number of wing cells varies according to the species. Trichomes are evenly arranged in longlanceolate leaf blades with smooth margins. (4) (PDF) Foliar Anatomy of Three Native Species of Tillandsia L. from the Atacama Desert, Chile. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/359439271_Foliar_Anatomy_of_Three_Native_Species_of_Tillandsia_L_from_the_Atacama_Desert_Chile [accessed Jun 21 2022].