Original scientific paper

Contribution to the Leaf Anatomy of Quercus ilex L.

Tomislav Bačić ; Hrvatska
Davor Miličić ; Hrvatska

Abstract

The leaf anatomy of Quercus ilex has been investigated by means of light and scanning electron microscope. The evergreen leaves of this species have marked xeromorphic properties in comparison with the deciduous leaves of Quercus robur L., Quercus cerris L. etc. Xeromorphy of Q. ilex is displayed particularly by a very thick cuticle with cuticular layers and a large number of tufted hairs especially on the lower epidermis. The basis of the tufted hairs is surrounded by epidermis and subepidermis cells, which all have cutin in the walls. These cutin carrying cells represent the pedestal of the hair. The tufted hairs containing a larger cell number sometimes coalesce with the basal hair parts above the level of epidermis and pedestal. However, the uppermost hair parts are free. These hairs protect the leaves from dessication. Moreover, glandular hairs are present on the leaves.
The mesophyll of Q. ilex consists only of palisade parenchyma. The leaf veins are connected with other hardy cell elements which are continuous from the upper to the lower epidermis making the leaf very firm. These support walls prevent the thin parenchyma cells from breaking or becoming crumpled during the period of dryness. Some data about the stomata, chemical properties of cell walls and various forms of calcium oxalate crystals are also presented.

Keywords

Hrčak ID:

159157

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/159157

Publication date:

31.12.1985.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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