Stomatal distribution, stomatal density and daily leaf movement in Acacia aroma (Leguminosae)

acacia aroma gillies ex hook. & arn. grows in the chacoan and yungas biogeographic provinces, argentina. it has numerous medicinal applications, sweet and edible fruits, and it may be used as forage. the objective of the present contribution was to analyse the stomatal distribution and stomatal density on the secondary leaflet surfaces, in different parts of the leaf, and at different tree crown levels, establishing the leaf movement and environmental condition relationships. the work was performed with fresh material and herbarium specimens, using conventional anatomical techniques. stomatal distribution on the secondary leaflet surfaces was established, and differences in stomatal density among basal, medium and apical leaflets were found. a decrease in stomatal density from the lower level to the upper level of the tree crown would be connected with that. the stomatal distribution and density appear related to the secondary leaflet shape and its position on the secondary rachis, interacting with the daily secondary leaflets and leaf movement, and the weather conditions. it is interesting that the medium value of stomata density were found in the middle part of the leaf and at the middle level of the tree crown. original illustrations are given.