Root and cladode transections of five species of Cactaceae from a "caatinga" of Pernambuco (Harrisia adscendens (Gürke) Britton & Rose; Melocactus × horridus Wedermann; M. zenhtneri (Britton & Rose) Luetzelb.; Tacinga inamoena (Schumann) Taylor & Stuppy, and T. palmadora (Britton & Rose) Taylor & Stuppy), were analyzed to verify diagnostic and adaptative features. The sections were stained with safranin and astrablue and mounted in glycerine. The surveys did not show great differences in the roots inner structure among studied species. In the secondary xylem of the roots broad pericyclic rays occur, representing an important adaptative character in xerophytes. The cladodes present the following diagnostic and adaptative features: type of spines; type and position of stomata; hypodermis structure; presence of crystals in epidermis and hypodermis; type and position of mucilaginous structures; general aspects of the vascular system; occurrence of cortical and medular vascular bundles; and presence of storage parenchyma. The results of this work show that the studied species are typical cacti presenting anatomical features, which can be responsible for the success of these plants in adverse environments as the "caatinga".
anatomy; caatinga; Cactaceae; taxonomy
