Anatomical Studies on the Vegetative Organs of Phytolacca acinosa Roxb.and Ph. americana L.

An anatomical study was conducted on the vegetative organ of Phytolacca acinosa Roxb.and Ph.americana L.using the plant paraffin section.The results showed that both anatomical structures were basically the same in exception of little differences.The central bundle of Ph.acinosa Roxb.root was arranged into a bow shape,however that of Ph.americana L.root was the scattering shape,and medullary ray were obvious.Both stem consisted of epidermis,cortes and central cylinder.The pith of Ph.acinosa Roxb.was smaller,and its cortical parenchyma cells was multilayer.The cortical parenchyma cells of Ph.americana L.was only 4 to 6 layers.The leaf structures of Ph.acinosa Roxb.and Ph.americana L.were essentially similar,and both were bifacial leaf.However,leaf thickness,cell size of palisade tissue and spongy tissue,as well as stomatal density diversified between the two species.