Khrolenko Y.A., Yusupova E.P., Nakonechnaya O.V.
Botanica Pacifica: a journal of plant science and conservation 2026
A comparative mesostructural analysis of leaves was performed for micro-clones and individuals of Aristolochia contorta, a rare medicinal plant, in juvenile and genera tive states. Micro-plants showed a cultural phenotype characterized by clones with poorly developed or absent root systems and relatively thick leaves with a thin epidermis and no epicuticular wax, along with high cell and plastid filling. Age-related mesostructural variation occurred in both juvenile and reproductive groups. With maximum cell and plastid filling, micro-clones fit the species’ phy siological optimum better than juvenile plants, representing compensatory adap tations to in vitro conditions. However, leaf blade vulnerability, unprotected epidermis, and weak roots were major causes of mortality during adaptation. Despite differences among the three variants, internal leaf structure remained conserved (dorsoventral mesophyll, equal palisade and spongy layers, etc.). Mesostructural analysis can reliably evaluate micro-clone quality in medicinal plants, particularly functional maturity.
