| ABSTRACT The Neotropical genera Aspidogyne and Microchilus (Goodyerinae, Cranichideae, Orchidaceae) comprise ca. 200 rainforests terrestrial species. Although species of Goodyerinae are described with similar anatomy to other taxa of Cranichideae, some anatomical characteristics appear to be specific to the subtribe. Our goal was to characterise the anatomical structure of the vegetative organs of Aspidogyne and Microchilus to identify specific characters of Goodyerinae. Root, stem and leaf samples from eleven species were analysed using light and scanning electron microscopy. The leaves are hypostomatic and glabrous with predominantly anisocytic or tetracytic stomata, thin cuticle, homogeneous mesophyll with chromoplast and raphides, and collateral... |
