Basal leaf anatomy
The basal leaf of G. iranshahrii in cross section is rounded, without a cavity in the center (Figs. 1F-I; Figs. 2G-K), at the base with 5 vascular bundles located in the form of a ring. This type of leaves is called unifacial - having one surface (without expanding into a flat, bifacial, plate). The annular arrangement of the bundles is confirmed by the orientation of the xylem (Göbel 1913: 273, 278) in each bundle, the xylem is oriented towards the leaf center (Fig. 1F, xy). From the base to the top of the sheet, its cross-sectional shape naturally changes. The abaxial surface has a groove at the very base (Fig. 1F; Fig. 2G), but above the groove disappears (Figs. 1G-I; Figs. 2H-K) and the leaf takes on rounded shapes. As a result of successive anastomoses (fusions), the number of bundles in the upper part of the leaf decreases to 4, 3, 2, and up to 1. The epidermis is 1-layer. The outer surface of its cells covers with a thick cuticle. Below the epidermis are 4-5 layers of photosynthetic parenchyma. The inner part of the leaf is filled with larger and rounded mesophilic cells.