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.