Leaf anatomy of three herbaceous bamboo species

Fully developed leaves of Cryptochloa capillata (Swallen) Soderstrom, Raddia brasilienses Bertol and Pharus lappulaceus Aublet (Poaceae: Bambusoideae) were collected at Restinga de Jacarepia, Environment Proctection Area of Massambaba, county of Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and studied by optical microscope. Leaf anatomy is described in order to contribute to the Poaceae family study. Anatomic features observed in the three studied species such as: midrib with complex vascular system, mesophyll consisting of tabular lobed chlorophyllous elements and fusoid cells, vascular bundles with double sheath, epidermis made up of long cells, short cells, micro-hairs, prickles and silica bodies correspond to the "bambusoid type" of leaf anatomy.