Ecological anatomy of Eugenia punicifolia (Kunth) DC. (MYRTACEAE) in the restinga region,state of Ceará

The species Eugenia punicifolia (Kunth) DC. (myrtle) occurs in the coastal region of the state of Ceará and has ecological and medicinal importance. This study aimed to characterize the leaf anatomy of myrtle (E. punicifolia) in the rainy and dry seasons, as well as in the sun and shade in the restinga region of the state of Ceará and to contribute to the understanding of the morphoanatomic variations in response to the natural conditions of the occurrence of this species. For this, collections of fully expanded leaves were performed at the Botanical Park of Ceará and fixed in FAA70, being replaced by 70% ethanol after 24 hours. The usual anatomical procedures were then performed in order to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the leaf blade, petiole and epidermis structures. As a result, it was found that myrtle has xeromorphic characteristics such as thick cuticle, hypoestomatic leaf and sclerenchyma fibers in the median vein vascular bundles. It was concluded that E. punicifolia has great plasticity to adjust well under the analyzed conditions.

Aspects of ecological anatomy of Traganum nudatum Del. (Amaranthaceae) from the Northeast of the Algerian Sahara

This study focuses on the anatomical strategies developed by the Traganum nudatum Del., prevalent in the Algerian Sahara, particularly in the region of Oued Righ, which allows to this species to survive in a harsh environment (aridity and salinity). The anatomical structure of this species was studied using fresh materials (roots, stems and leaves). These materials have been collected from several individuals in different saline habitats. Some interesting features such as successive cambia phenomenon, calcium oxalate crystals, Kranz anatomy (salsoloid subtype), succulence, low stomata density, low stomata index, the presence of the papillae, paracytic stomata and other structures have been noticed. We can conclude that the ecological significance of evidenced adaptations by T. nudatum is supported in this article by the analysis of adaptations of other species belonging either to the Amaranthaceae or to other botanical families; and that this adaptation has no link with botanical families. In these species, the key adaptation is the ability to maintain growth processes and water saving under difficult living conditions (high summer temperatures or salty soils), regardless of the evolutionary level of the taxon.

Histo-Anatomical Studies in Allium saxatile, a Specie with Ornamental Potential

The current paper presents some characteristics of the anatomy of vegetative organs (adventive root and leaf) of Allium saxatile M. Bieb., a species rare in the Romanian flora, which have not been described before in the literature. Histo-anatomical studies performed on Allium saxatile plants sampled from three local populations identified in the Dobrogea area, complete already existing data from other species of this genus, and represent the beginning of future studies on ecological anatomy, taxonomy and ex situ conservation strategies. Some of the obtained results confirm data from literature, but additional observations have been made that show features not reported previously for any specie of the Allium genus, such as the presence of colenchymatized cells in the internal mesophyll at the lamina level; or the presence, at sheath level, of epidermal cells with uniformly lignified and thick walls.