Abstract:In order to understand the origin and development of laticifers in Apocynacea species, the secretory structures in vegetative organs of Ceropegia woodii and Dischidia ruscifolia were observed under microscope. The results showed that there were branched laticifer without node in all vegetative organs of C. woodii and D. ruscifolia. Most of laticifers in stem cortex had distinct branches. The laticifer have distinct branches in leaf, and its distribution and orientation are parallel to vascular bundle of leaf vein. In addition, except for laticifer, there are secretory cavities in vegetative organs of C. woodii. So, these would provide an anatomical basis for the systematic classification of Apocynaceae.
