ENVIRONMENTAL SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (ESEM) OF Morinda citrifolia L. (Rubiaceae) COLLETERS

This study describes the colleters of <em>Morinda citrifolia L. </em>(Rubiaceae) by using environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Two different developmental stages were characterized as well as the chemical composition of secretion. Colleters are secretory structures that produce mucilage protecting the meristems and leaf primordia against desiccation and/or pathogens. Although these secretory structures are common on Rubiaceae, the results reported here is to the best of our knowledge the first record of colleters on <em>Morinda</em> genus. Colleters are present at the stipule adaxial surface, distributed in lines. These secretory structures are standard type and have no base constriction, differently from all studied species until now. In order to better understand the colleters structure and secretion, two phases were distinguished: a secretory phase and a senescence one. On secretory phase standard type colleters were visualized between leaf primordia and stipule, emerge on secretion. They present smooth surface, however was also possible to observe the contours of secretory cells anticlinal walls. In senescent phase colleters morphology was alternated exhibiting rough surface and blunt to point tips. The surface was rough and on stipule sections was possible to observe idioblasts with raphides bundles. The secretion process of <em>M. citrifolia </em>colleters occurs with the disruption of cuticle and the chemical elements are mostly dominated by carbon and oxygen.