Simone de Pádua Teixeira

• University of São Paulo

The species-rich legume family displays diverse mechanisms for pollen presentation and release, including brush, piston, valvular, and explosive types, influenced by variations in floral architecture. Among papilionoids, a group characterized by flag-flowers, early-branching species often deviate from this typical pattern. This study investigates M...

Alexa grandiflora Ducke is a papilionoid legume tree native to the Brazilian Amazon Forest. It belongs to the early-diverging Angylocalyx clade within the subfamily Papilionoideae, which is characterized by keel flowers, with some genera having flowers other than typical papilionaceous ones. This study describes the floral organography, organogenes...

In the complex dynamics of plant–insect interactions, the specialized galling of reproductive structures presents unique evolutionary adaptations. This study investigates the parasitic relationship between Arastichus gallicola (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae), an ovary-galling wasp, and the inflorescences of Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum (Araceae). We em...

Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth. is a bee-pollinated legume tree with significant reproductive success which is widely distributed among Brazilian vegetations. Its reproductive success is attributed to an efficient pollen–stigma interaction. Thus, our objective was to understand the pollen–stigma interaction of this species by describing the morpholo...

Cannabaceae species garner attention in plant research due to their diverse secretory structures and pharmacological potential associated with the production of secondary metabolites. This study aims to update our understanding of the secretory system in Hops (Humulus lupulus L.), an economically important species especially known for its usage in...

Secretory structures in plants play a crucial role in producing bioactive compounds. Despite the potential of the Swartzia genus, comprehensive studies in this context are still scarce. Swartzia is a legume tree (Fabaceae) that occurs in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, a biodiversity hotspot, and includes species such as Swartzia flaemingii. Therefo...

Trema, a genus of the popularly known Cannabaceae, has recently been the subject of cannabinoid bioprospection. T. micrantha is a tree with pharmacological potential widely used in folk medicine. It has two types of glandular trichomes, bulbous and filiform, spread throughout the plant body. Considering the proximity of this species to Cannabis sat...

Leaf glands are found in many Rhamnaceae species, the buckthorn family, and are frequently used in taxonomic studies of the group, especially because they are easily visible to the naked eye. Despite the many records and extensive use in the taxonomy of the family, few studies deal with the classification of these glands and their roles for the pla...

The presence of mucilage cells in plants, studied mainly in vegetative organs, is a condition shared by several taxonomic groups and aspects related to their diversity have been discussed with systematic purposes. This study explores the flower distribution and classification of mucilage cells in Rosales species, with inferences about flower functi...

Rhamnaceae flowers have a peculiar morphology, including keeled sepals, one stamen whorl closely related to the petals, and a broad perigynous hypanthium that supports a voluminous nectary. In the present investigation, we detailed the flower development of five Rhamnaceae species to understand the origin of such specific floral characteristics. Fl...

ABSTRACT Glandular trichomes are epidermal structures that produce, store and release a variety of chemical compounds. Their high morphological diversity allows their taxonomic use at various levels. Therefore, their description and standardization of terminology become challenging. Cannabaceae is a well known family of Urticalean Rosids because of...

The floral diversity of Melastomataceae is stunning and clearly expressed in sepal and stamen structure and in the position of the ovary. Comparative developmental studies are effective in order to understand these variations because they reveal the often-enigmatic origin of the structures. The diverse calyx structure originates from variations in...

The androecium of Melastomataceae presents notable modifications in its merosity, morphology between whorls and in prolonged connectives and appendages. We carried out a comparative study of six Melastomataceae species to shed light on the developmental processes that originate such stamen diversity. The development of stamens was studied using sca...

Most species of Urticaceae, the nettle family, have small and inconspicuous, diclinous flowers, in which the perianth, androecium and gynoecium tend to vary in number. Our objective was to study the morphology of the developing flowers of seven species of Urticaceae to understand the pathways that lead to the different patterns of floral reduction...

Studies on seed germination in Eugenia species after embryo fractionation have demonstrated that cotyledon cells have capacity for de-differentiation and consequent production of roots. However, there is no information about the origin of those new roots. Thus, the aim of this study was to characterize anatomically the cotyledon regions of seeds of...

Papilionoideae is the most diverse subfamily of Leguminosae, especially in terms of floral morphology. The ADA clade shows some exciting floral features among papilionoids, such as anther glands. However, the evolution of the anther glands in such early-branching papilionoids remains unknown. Thus, we compared the occurrence, distribution, morpholo...

Rhamnaceae is a family with small, radially symmetrical flowers, which present nectaries of diverse morphology. Therefore, studies to explain the developmental pathways of this diversity are welcome in understanding the evolutionary biology of this gland. Thus, the objective of the present study was to compare the developing floral nectary of six s...

Premise: Celtis is the most species-rich genus of Cannabaceae, an economically important family. Celtis species have been described as wind-pollinated and andromonoecious. However, the andromonoecy of Celtis has been debated because there are reports of monoclinous flowers with non-opening anthers on short filaments. Our objective was to study the...

Global climate change is expected to have impacts on the physiological, phenological, and morphological traits of plants. However, the vulnerability of tropical plant reproductive processes in response to climate change events has been poorly studied. Here, we assess if warming and elevated CO2 compromise the pollen characteristics of Stylosanthes...

Camoensia scandens is a papilionoid legume inserted in the core genistoid clade. It has large, crepuscular, scented flowers but the corolla is non-papilionaceous, which deviates from the pattern found in the subfamily. The vexillum has a folded claw, forming a tube, which is opposed to the androecium opening; all petals have yellow-gold crinkled ma...

Rhamnaceae flowers are notably recognized by their fleshy nectary. Other types of floral secretory structures have been scarcely reported for this family. Thus, the objective of the present study was to update the occurrence of these structures in the family and to contribute to the knowledge of their morphology and systematic significance. To this...

Maytenus ilicifolia (Celastraceae) is a medicinal plant that is native to southern Brazil and is popularly known as “espinheira-santa”. From a biosynthesis perspective, this species accumulates quinonemethide triterpenes and sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloids as major secondary metabolites that exhibit interesting biological properties, with antitumo...

The Swartzia species are commonly known as bloodwood due to the red exudate released from the stem after injury. This exudate has aroused great interest, and an integrative study is essential to describe it in detail. Thus, this work aimed to identify the red exudate’s secreting-site in S. flaemingii and S. langsdorffii, and determine if it is a la...

The synstigma is a structure formed by clusters of two to several stigmas, whether in the same or between different flowers. Although rare in angiosperms, synstigmas are found in c. 500 out of the c. 750 Ficus spp. (Moraceae). This floral structure is associated with fig-fig wasp pollinating mutualism. The synstigma structure and pollen tube pathwa...

Background and Aims Moraceae, the family of mulberry and fig trees, displays small homogeneous flowers but extremely diverse inflorescences ranging from simple and branched to complex and condensed. Inflorescences also vary in flower organization in the receptacle, in the degree of flower condensation, and in the receptacle shape. Thus, the objecti...

The Dalbergioid Adesmia clade comprises Adesmia DC., Amicia Kunth, Nissolia Jacq., Poiretia Vent., and Zornia J.F. Gmel., all predominantly South American genera except for Zornia which has a pantropical distribution. These taxa share a shrubby or herbaceous habit with glands present on some part of the plant (e.g., stems, leaflets). However, the e...

‐ Oncidiinae is one of the most important subtribe among the Neotropical orchids, with an enormous diversity of floral morphology and secretory structures. This subtribe attracts a diverse array of pollinators which explore a variety of floral resources on its flowers. ‐ In this paper we provide a detailed investigation of the floral anatomy of 32...

In 2019, the atmospheric CO2 concentration exceeded the 415 ppm milestone for the first time in the human history. According to projections of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), CO2 levels will continue to rise in the future, potentially affecting all living organisms. Plants with C3 metabolism may benefit from rising CO2 levels...

The association between ontogenetic processes in plants and phytophagous insects is not traditionally considered in studies of insect-plant interactions. Angiosperm seeds impose important constraints on seed predators; the structural complexity of seeds and the progressive accumulation of resources throughout their development limit the time window...

The association between ontogenetic processes in plants and phytophagous insects is not traditionally considered in studies of insect-plant interactions. Angiosperm seeds impose important constraints on seed predators; the structural complexity of seeds and the progressive accumulation of resources throughout their development limit the time window...

Parietaria debilis G. Forst. is gynomonoecious, which is a rare condition in the Urticaceae family and among angiosperms. Apetalous flowers of two different morph types (monoclinous, pistillate) occur in the same inflorescence and are reduced in size and in the number of whorls and of organs per whorl. The objective of this study was to compare the...

Small flowers with tubular calyces and connate stamens, a small number of whorls and organs per whorl are found in species of the tribe Cecropieae (Urticaceae). This study elucidates the processes that lead to such floral conditions by comparing the morphology of the developing flowers of Cecropia pachystachya, Coussapoa microcarpa and Pourouma cec...

Small flowers with tubular calyces and connate stamens, a small number of whorls and organs per whorl are found in species of the tribe Cecropieae (Urticaceae). This study elucidates the processes that lead to such floral conditions by comparing the morphology of the developing flowers of Cecropia pachystachya, Coussapoa microcarpa and Pourouma cec...

Cannabaceae is a known family because of the production of cannabinoids in laticifers and glandular trichomes of Cannabis sativa. Laticifers are latex-secreting structures, which in Cannabaceae were identified only in C. sativa and Humulus lupulus. This study aimed to expand the knowledge of laticifers in Cannabaceae by checking their structural ty...

Polysporangiate anthers, i.e., anthers bearing more than four sporangia, are an unusual condition that has been reported in several angiosperm families, including Melastomataceae. The structure of polysporangiate anthers in Melastomataceae was investigated here in 302 species, which were categorized as polysporangiate or non-polysporangiate based o...

Species of Cannabaceae, Moraceae, Urticaceae and Ulmaceae form the group of urticalean rosids. This group shares the presence of small, slightly showy, diclinous (unisexual), achlamydeous or monochlamydeous flowers, that have a bicarpellate pseudomonomerous gynoecium with a single functional ovule. The flower is considered to be reduced in relation...

Species of Cannabaceae, Moraceae, Urticaceae and Ulmaceae form the group of urticalean rosids. This group shares the presence of small, slightly showy, diclinous (unisexual), achlamydeous or monochlamydeous flowers, that have a bicarpellate pseudomonomerous gynoecium with a single functional ovule. The flower is considered to be reduced in relation...

Leguminosae is one of the four families of plants that exhibit representatives dispersing pollen grains grouped into polyads (grouping of more than four pollen grains) which, according to current knowledge, all belong to the mimosoid clade. It is known that the relationship between the origin, form and function of pollen characters represents basic...

Species of Cannabaceae are wind pollinated, have inconspicuous and reduced flowers that are pistillate, staminate and apparently perfect on the same individual or on different individuals, with a single-whorled perianth and a pseudomonomerous gynoecium. Our objective is to understand the developmental processes that lead to such a reduced flower mo...

Premise of research. Moraceae, the well-known mulberry or fig family, displays small, inconspicuous, diclinous flowers that are very different from many other rosids. One remarkable condition is the gynoecium that is unilocular and uniovulate but composed of two carpels, characterizing a type of pseudomonomery. The pathways that lead to the formati...

The present chapter deals with the concept as well as the structure, ultrastructure and development of laticifer in plants. The morphological aspects of the laticifer development are used to better support the laticifer current classification. Some general functions attributed to the laticifer are discussed, especially those related to the plant pr...

Myrsine leuconeura Mart. is used by ethnic groups in Brazil to treat infections of the urinary tract, but the chemical profile and morphological characteristics of this medicinal plant have not yet been reported. We have identified the secretory structures of the leaves of this species and determined the influence of geographic site and season of h...

The presence of articulated laticifers in the Moraceae family was recently discovered, which means that the location of pectinase and cellulase activities must be of great importance for their growth. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the role of these enzymes in the laticifer growth in Ficus montana and Maclura tinctoria. Reproductive mer...

Premise of the study: This study details the unusual synorganization of the staminate flower in wind-pollinated urticalean rosids to add the missing pieces that complete the puzzle of the explosive mechanism of pollen release in this group. Methods: Flower buds and flowers were analyzed using light and scanning electron microscopy. Key results:...

This study details the unusual synorganization of the staminate flower in wind-pollinated urticalean rosids to add the missing pieces that complete the puzzle of the explosive mechanism of pollen release in this group. Flower buds and flowers were analyzed using light and scanning electron microscopy. The pistillode, stamens, and sepals form a flor...

Introduction Galloylquinic acid derivatives and flavonoids are the main phenolic metabolites found in Copaifera langsdorffii leaves (Leguminosae, Detarioideae), a medicinal plant with potential therapeutic application in the treatment of kidney stones. The factors that affect metabolite production in this plant species are not well understood but m...

In this study, we reassessed the morphology and distribution of laticifers present in the inflorescences of nine Moraceae and three Urticaceae species and compared the substances found in their latices. Reproductive meristems and inflorescences at different developmental stages were collected, fixed and processed for light microscopy analysis. In M...

Mechanisms to detoxify aluminium (Al) is a hot topic for cultivated plants. However, little information is known about the mechanisms used by native plants to deal with Al-toxicity. In Cerrado, some generalist mistletoe species, such as Passovia ovata (Pohl ex DC.) Kuijt and Struthanthus polyanthus Mart. can parasitize Al-accumu- lating and Al-excl...

Two new bracelet cyclotides from roots of Pombalia calceolaria with potential anticancer activity have been characterized in this work. The cyclotides Poca A and B (1 and 2) and the previously known CyO4 (3) were de novo sequenced by MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry (MS). The MS² spectra were examined and the amino acid sequences were determined. Th...

Premise of research. Ampelocera glabra is an andromonoecious, wind-pollinated species of Ulmaceae, the elm family. This family comprises two clades: tropical and temperate. The species that have been morphologically studied so far all belong to the temperate clade. Ampelocera glabra is included in the tropical clade and is remarkable due to its aty...

We evaluated the floral development of Hymenaea verrucosa, the only African species of the genus. This species has unusual floral features, such as a tetramerous calyx, a corolla with three normal and two vestigial petals, and stamens of different sizes. We analysed floral buds and flowers under scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. Th...

In the present investigation, we studied the floral bouquet and its associate osmophores in three legume trees using a combination of chemical and ultrastructural analyses, a poorly investigated approach to plant glands. The purpose was to understand the secretory process of osmophores and to identify which of the substances produced are responsibl...

Apomixis, the asexual formation of seeds, seems to be a reproductive alternative for many angiosperms, involving various pathways with different genetic and ecological consequences. It is common in some megadiverse tropical groups such as Melastomataceae, of which approximately 70% of the species studied so far in the tribe Miconieae are autonomous...

The mulberry and fig family (Moraceae) has tiny flowers with a single whorled or absent perianth and inner whorls with a reduced number of organs. Relevant questions about this reduced floral structure still remain unresolved. Thus, we studied the ontogenic processes that culminate in such a reduced flower, as well as the close relationship between...

Passovia ovata (Pohl ex DC.) Kuijt and Struthanthus polyanthus Mart. are hemiparasitic mistletoes that can grow on Al-accumulating and Al-excluding woody species in the Brazilian Cerrado. It is unclear to what extent this hemiparasitic lifestyle implies facultative Al accumulation by the mistletoes and if so, what are the Al tolerance mechanisms in...

The stigma plays several roles such as pollen hydration and selection, and pollen tube nutrition. In the Ficus-fig wasp mutualism, stigmata have an additional, almost unknown, function by representing a physical interface for both plant and wasp reproduction. We used light and electron microscopy to compare the detailed morphology of the stigmata o...

Ovule characters have been shown to be informative at higher taxonomic levels and are therefore of interest in angiosperm systematics. In this study, we aimed to describe the evolution of the outer ovule integument thickness in Melastomataceae and to evaluate its systematic and biological significance. This character was investigated in 137 species...

Premise of research. The flower of Leandra melastomoides (Melastomataceae) exhibits a singular condition that is the presence of two distinct and opposite portions in the sepals forming what is known as a double calyx. These portions may correspond to individual sepals, explaining the recognition of two calyx whorls. No studies resolving this struc...

Although in Moraceae the presence of laticifers is considered to be a synapomorphy, little is known about the distribution and morphology of this type of secretory structure in the reproductive organs of its species. Ficus, the largest genus of Moraceae, is characterized by an inflorescence known as syconium and by an obligate mutualistic interacti...

Premise of the study: Although the ovary position is considered a stable character in angiosperms, Melastomataceae species have perigynous flowers in which the ovary varies from superior to inferior. Thus, we investigated the ontogenetic process involved in variation of the ovary position in Melastomataceae. We focused on histogenesis of the flora...

Premise of the study: Pentaclethra and Dimorphandra (Leguminosae) have long been considered a possible enigmatic link between caesalpinioids and mimosoids because they both have an imbricate calyx and heteromorphic androecium, floral features that are rare among mimosoids but common among caesalpinioids. This study compared the developing flowers o...

Premise of the study: Pentaclethra and Dimorphandra (Leguminosae) have long been considered a possible enigmatic link between caesalpinioids and mimosoids because they both have an imbricate calyx and heteromorphic androecium, floral features that are rare among mimosoids but common among caesalpinioids. This study compared the developing flowers...

Floral secretory structures are usually associated with the attraction of pollinators, but may also play an important role in the mechanisms of plant protection. This study aimed to show the diversity of secretory structures present in the developing flowers of 15 legume species belonging to different clades and to associate them with functions other...

This study aimed to obtain new information about the distribution, morphology and content of secretory trichomes present in the vegetative and reproductive organs of four species of Moraceae: Artocarpus heterophyllus, Dorstenia cayapia, Maclura tinctoria and Sorocea bonplandii. Stem, leaf, flower and inflorescence samples were processed for scanning...

Inga is a highly diverse Neotropical genus of Fabaceae with a rapid and recent diversification. Its flowers are actinomorphic with a wide variation in merism and size and length of perianth. Notwithstanding its species richness and economic importance, few floral ontogenetic studies have been carried out in this genus. Thus, we investigated periant...

Dipteryx, Pterodon and Taralea are legume genera known for secreting oils, produced in secretory canals and cavities, with medicinal properties. We analyzed the distribution, morphology and histochemistry of these glands in leaves and stems of Dipteryx alata, Pterodon pubescens and Taralea oppositifolia, three Neotropical species, using standard te...

Urticaceae is a botanical family well known for its urticating trichomes that cause allergic reactions when touching the human skin. The members of the family are anemophilous, which means that pollen grain transfer from staminate flowers to the stigma of pistillate flowers of the same individual occurs through the wind, without the participation o...

The flower has always aroused great interest of researchers because it is considered the key innovation in the evolution of plants, featuring a very special group, the Angiosperms. It is conceptualized as a specialized stem apex or as a lateral branch with shortened internodes and appendices hypothetically homologous to leaves, modified for reprodu...

Urticaceae is a botanical family well known for its urticating trichomes that cause allergic reactions when touching the human skin. The members of the family are anemophilous, which means that pollen grain transfer from staminate flowers to the stigma of pistillate flowers of the same individual occurs through the wind, without the participation o...

Laticifers are latex-producing structures which occur in some plant families. In Moraceae (the mulberry family), laticifers are of the non-articulated and branched type and are distributed throughout the whole plant, i.e., they consist of a very long single cell that branches, forming a continuous network throughout the plant tissues. Given that th...

Developmental studies are important to understand the morphology and evolution of the flower, an exclusive unique structure of the Angiosperms. For such studies, the analysis in SEM is essential to the understanding of organogenesis and organ initiation order. The Cannabaceae family, well known to include species such Humulus lupulus (hop) and Cann...

The flower has always aroused great interest of researchers because it is considered the key innovation in the evolution of plants, featuring a very special group, the Angiosperms. It is conceptualized as a specialized stem apex or as a lateral branch with shortened internodes and appendices hypothetically homologous to leaves, modified for reprodu...

The six distinct gland types described in Mimosoideae anthers vary from simple projections to robust and vascularized structures. The origin of these glands is attributed to an extension of connective. However, except for an illustrative recording of some developmental stages, nothing is known about the origin and gland development, which prevents...

The six distinct gland types described in Mimosoideae anthers vary from simple projections to robust and vascularized structures. The origin of these glands is attributed to an extension of connective. However, except for an illustrative recording of some developmental stages, nothing is known about the origin and gland development, which prevents...

Floral secretory structures are usually associated with the attraction of pollinators, but may also play an important role in the mechanisms of plant protection. This study aimed to show the diversity of secretory structures present in the developing flowers of 15 legume species belonging to different clades and to associate them with functions other...

Floral secretory structures are usually associated with the attraction of pollinators, but may also play an important role in the mechanisms of plant protection. Th is study aimed to show the diversity of secretory structures present in the developing fl owers of 15 legume species belonging to diff erent clades and to associate them with functions...

Introduction: The boldo leaf has several traditional folk medicinal uses, such as for gallbladder, hepatic problems, digestive disorders, rheumatism and others. In the work reported herein, botanic profiling, extraction optimization by Soxhlet, quantification of boldine by an easy/simple to run HPLC method and antioxidant assay are proposed for the...

Biosynthetic investigation of quinonemethide triterpenoid 22β-hydroxy-maytenin (2) from in vitro root cultures of Peritassa laevigata (Celastraceae) was conducted using 13C-precursor. The mevalonate pathway in P. laevigata is responsible for the synthesis of the quinonemethide triterpenoid scaffold. Moreover, anatomical analysis of P. laevigata roo...

Eugenia pyriformis Cambess., known locally as uvaieira, a species of fruit-bearing tree with both pharmacological and gastronomic potential, has seeds which are sensitive to desiccation. The aim of this study was to analyse whether the degree of tolerance to desiccation of uvaieira seeds depends on the stage of maturation of the seeds at shedding....

Premise of research. This study compares the development of staminate and hermaphrodite flowers of Parkia multijuga and Stryphnodendron adstringens, two andromonoecious mimosoid trees, in order to determine whether diclinous flowers result from the same developmental processes. The issues involving the interesting structure of the perianth were als...

Cavitated secretory trichomes are characterized by a short or absent stalk that is connected to a secretory hollow head. They are rare structures in angiosperms; in Fabaceae, they have been recorded in only seven genera, including Bauhinia s.s. Because B. curvula and B. rufa exhibit glands that are responsible for attracting pollinators to flowers,...

Premise of research. This study compares the development of staminate and hermaphrodite flowers of Parkia multijuga and Stryphnodendron adstringens, two andromonoecious mimosoid trees, in order to determine whether diclinous flowers result from the same developmental processes. The issues involving the interesting structure of the perianth were als...

Premise of research. Anther glands display great morphological diversity and features with potential ecological and taxonomic value in the Mimosoideae group. The current knowledge about these glands is mainly based on external morphological observations, lacking data on the anatomy of the glands. A detailed anatomical study of the glands is a cruci...

Premise of the study: Fig trees (Moraceae) have remarkable enclosed inflorescences called figs or syconia. The flowers are pollinated by host-specific fig wasps that enter the fig to lay their eggs. This nursery pollination system is one of the most studied of tropical mutualism interactions, but the source of the volatiles that attract fig wasps...

In Nicotiana tabacum, female gametophytes are not fully developed at anthesis, but flower buds pollinated 12 h before anthesis produce mature embryo sacs. We investigated several pollination-associated parameters in N. tabacum flower buds to determine the developmental timing of important events in preparation for successful fertilization. First, w...

Premise of research. We present a detailed analysis of the floral ontogeny of Amburana cearensis, which is an early-branching papilionoid legume with an unusual floral morphology. Especially the reduced one-petalled corolla is noteworthy and stimulates the question about the ontogenetic background of this reduction. Are all five petals initiated an...

Key message An unusual polyad occurs in three Parkia species, named cavitate polyad. It has an internal central space full of lipoprotein substances, contacting all pollen grains, probably aiding pollen germination. Abstract This study details the unusual morphology of polyads of three species of Parkia (P. multijuga Benth., P. ulei (Harms) Kuhlm.,...

Two legume trees largely known as tannin producers — Dimorphandra mollis Benth. (Caesalpinioideae) and Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville (Mimosoideae) — were used as models to elucidate the morphology and ontogeny of tannin cells. Vegetative parts of plants were processed for observation using light and electron microscopy (scanning and t...