Secretory structures in a species of Polygala L. (Polygalaceae)

Fabales. Anatomy. Croceous glands.

Polygalaceae belongs to the order Fabales, is considered monophyletic based on its morphology and molecular data, has a cosmopolitan distribution and houses about 1,200 species distributed in 27 genera. Among the genera, Polygala L. is constituted by species with relevant medicinal value, due to its phytotherapeutic potential, it is the most representative with ca. of 580 species of which 120 are registered for Brazil, it comprises two subgenera Polygala and Chodatia Paiva, its subgeneric classification is based on phylogenetic studies where Polygala is divided into 14 sections. Of the Polygala sections, the Timutua section is characterized by the presence of visible/croceous glands, and these are used in its delimitation, however, they lack more complete information about its nature. Thus, the present study aims to investigate the origin, structure and function of the croceous glands existing in the floral structures, fruit, leaf blades and stem of Polygala adenophora DC., providing morphoanatomical information relevant to Polygalaceae. Samples of flowers, fruit, leaf blades and stem of P. adenophora DC. at different stages of development that went obtained from field collection. Collected samples were fixed in FAA50 or FNT and submitted to standard techniques in light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Histochemical tests were carried out for lipophilic and hydrophilic substances, the control of the tests were carried out according to the techniques already described for each test. The results show that the