The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different frequency irritation on growth, morphology or seedling mortality of Mimosa pudica. During preparation of the experiment were seeded 200 seeds of M. pudica but only 48 plants were used due to low germination of seeds . They were divided into three groups of equal number and these groups was placed one beside the other in a warm greenhouse with the same temperature and light conditions. The experiment started when sufficient size was reached (approximately 4 leaves per plant). The first ( control ) group was not irritated, the second group was irritated 5 times per day and the third group 15 times per day. Three times during the experiment (1. 9., 11. 9. and 21. 9. 2014) were measured length and counted the number of leaves. During the last measurement was cut and weighed aboveground part of the plants. Also number of internodes in all plants was recorded. During the experiment was also monitored the number of blossoms. All measured values were entered into tables and then statistically evaluated. In the experiment was found that the different frequency irritation affects the stem length and the final weight of the plants. The effect on the number of blossoms, leaves and internodes was not shown. There was no mortality in any of three groups.

Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / Although the majority of species in the deciduous forests lose their leaves during the dry season, some of them present alternative strategies, such as the leaf movement position (from horizontal to vertical ) in order to reduce transpiration. This study describes the leaf anatomy of nine plant species that reduce water loss during the dry season using the strategy of leaf movement rather than leaf abscission. The studied species were Piper aduncum sp. L. (Piperaceae), Acalypha Müll gracilis. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae), Casearia sylvestris Sw (Salicaceae), Bauhinia L. ungulata (Fabaceae: Caesalpinoideae) Calyptranthes widgreniana Berg. (Myrtaceae), Trichilia elegans A. Juss (Meliaceae) Guarea guidonia (L.) Sleumer (Meliaceae), Myrsine umbellata Mart. (Myrsinaceae) e Psychotria carthagenensis Jacq. (Rubiaceae), from the Parque Estadual do Pau Furado (Triângulo Mineiro), Brazil. Samples of the leaf blades and petioles were processed according to the usual techniques for plant anatomy. No general anatomical petiole pattern was found. However, some characteristics are common to all species: (a) supporting tissue, usually represented by collenchyma; (b) large cortical cells with thin walls and small intercellular spaces and (c) reduction or absence of lignified fibers. All these features could enhance the petiole flexibility allowing leaf changing position. The leaf blade anatomy revealed structural traits that promote water savings, as well as efficient mechanisms against predation by herbivores. These important features can effectively contribute to the maintenance and existence of these species in deciduous forests. / Embora a maioria das espécies ocorrentes nas florestas estacionais deciduais perca suas folhas durante a estação seca, algumas delas apresentam estratégias alternativas, tais como, a mudança no posicionamento das folhas de horizontal para vertical, para reduzir a transpiração. Este estudo descreve a anatomia foliar de nove dessas espécies de planta que reduzem a perda de água, durante a estação seca, usando a estratégia do movimento foliar e não a de apresentarem abscisão foliar. As espécies estudadas foram Piper aduncum sp. L. (Piperaceae), Acalypha gracilis Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae), Casearia sylvestris Sw. (Salicaceae), Bauhinia ungulata L. (Fabaceae: Caesalpinoideae), Calyptranthes widgreniana Berg. (Myrtaceae), Trichilia elegans A. Juss (Meliaceae), Guarea guidonia (L.) Sleumer (Meliaceae), Myrsine umbellata Mart. (Myrsinaceae) e Psychotria carthagenensis Jacq. (Rubiaceae) do Parque Estadual do Pau Furado (Triângulo Mineiro). As amostras do limbo e do pecíolo foram processadas de acordo com as técnicas usuais para anatomia vegetal. Nenhum padrão anatômico geral foi encontrado para o pecíolo nas espécies analisadas. No entanto, foram observadas algumas características anatômicas comuns a todas elas, como: (a) tecido de sustentação, geralmente, representado pelo colênquima, (b) células corticais grandes, de paredes delgadas e com pequenos espaços intercelulares e (c) redução ou ausência de fibras lignificadas. Todas essas características poderiam garantir a flexibilidade ao pecíolo e assim, permitir a mudança de posição das folhas. A anatomia do limbo revelou características estruturais que favorecem a economia de água, além de mecanismos eficientes contra a herbivoria, características estas importantes e que poderiam contribuir efetivamente para a manutenção e existência dessas espécies nas florestas estacionais deciduais. / Mestre em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais