Morfología y anatomía del cefalio de Cephalocereus senilis (Cactaceae)

Abstract

We study the morphology and anatomy of Cephalocereus senilis (Haw.) Pfeiff. flowering zone to describe and compare it with the information available for other species. We described in detail the vegetative and reproductive branches. Results show that there are morphological changes linked to anatomical ones after the flowering zone is differentiated. The flowering zone in this species is termed lateral cephalium by its interareolar space reduction, areole size increment, and high production of long bristles and trichomes in the areoles. Moreover, periderm development near the apical meristem, lack of chlorenchyma and a delay in xylematic fibers differentiation are traits related with the lateral cephalium. The lateral cephalium of C. senilis shows modifications previously reported for the Espostoa species with lateral cephalium, except for the presence of crystals in the trichomes, the addition of new ribs to the cephalium, and the growth in xylem and phloem parenchyma.