Chin J Plan Ecolo ›› 1998, Vol. 22 ›› Issue (2): 164-170.

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The Xeromorphic and Saline Morphic Structure of Leaves and Assimilating Branches in Ten Chenopodiacea Species in Xinjiang

Deng Yanbin, Jiang Yancheng and Liu Jian   

  • Published:1998-02-10
  • Contact: Ge Ying

Abstract: This paper deals with an anatomical structures of the leaves and assimilating branches of Chenopodiacea growing in deserts of Xinjiang using light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscopie (SEM), including Atriplex centralasiatica, Ceratoides ewersmanniana C. latens, Halocnemum strobilaceum , Halostachys caspica , Haloxylon ammodendron , Kalidium schrenkianum , Londesia eriantha , Salsola ferganica , S. foliosa. The results show that they adapted to saltmorphic circumstances through the following characters: thick leaf blades and cuticula; possessing epidermal hairs; sunken stomas, developed palisade, many equilateral leaves, and the assimilating branches taking place of photosynthetic function of some modified leaves. Most of the leaves and assimilating branches plants have mucilage cells or crystal cells. The well-developed water-storing tissues with large cells were seen in interior to the assimilating branches. The gathering and secreting saline plants were distinguished according to the salt secreting out or not. There were different kinds of salt glands in the secreting saline plants, such as one cell gland and the multi-cellular glands as well as secreting stomata. Both the mechanism of gathering and secreting saline in the plants were also investigated in this paper.