HISTOANATOMICAL AND ECOPHYSIOLOGICAL STUDIES ON SOME HALOPHYTES FROM ROMANIA - PLANTAGO SCHWARZENBERGIANA

This paper presents the histoanatomical characteristics of a halophilic species: Plantago schwarzenbergiana. The cross sections of the vegetative organs were subjected to the usual steps of the histoanatomical analysis. Results are presented with original photographs. We identified the protective trichomes and secretory trichomes in the epidermis of the aerial stem and the leaves. The aerenchyma is a histo-anatomical feature of these plants in the habitats with poor ventilation of saline soils. The relative lignification of aerial stem and the petiole can be related to an excessive salinity in soil. The analysis of leaf anatomy in P. schwarzenbergiana showed that the leaves contained xeromorphic traits. We determined the ecophysiological parameters: stomatal density, leaf lamina thickness, vascular bundles thickness, cuticle thickness, density and length of trichomes (protective and secretory), relative saturation deficit (LRDS) and succulence. LRDS was higher in leaves affected (average slightly damaged).