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DEVELOPMENT OF THE INTERCALARY MERISTEM OF CYPERUS ALTERNIFOLIUS
Author(s) -
Fisher Jack B.
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.1002/j.1537-2197.1970.tb09866.x
Subject(s) - meristem , biology , plant stem , botany , parenchyma , crown (dentistry) , anatomy , phyllotaxis , shoot , medicine , dentistry
The unique vegetative morphology of Cyperus alternifolius with its single elongated internode is ideal for developmental and experimental studies of internodal growth. The elongated internode is established by a primary rib meristem which extends from it to the third or fourth internode of the leaf crown. There is no internal histological differentiation of nodes. A secondary rib meristem, which is initiated later in the subapical region, produces the upper internodes of the leaf crown. Initiation of the secondary rib meristem and the start of extension of the elongated internode are correlated with the appearance of crown buds. The primary rib meristem is confined to a basal intercalary meristem (IM) at an early stage. The IM is mitotically active for many weeks and produces most of the internodal tissues. Quantitative data on percentage of cells dividing and cell length are presented for the IM at various stages of internodal development, Morphogenetic events are correlated with internodal growth. A histological gradient is described in the matured internode. Frequencies of stomates and papillae decrease and ground parenchyma cells shorten markedly toward the base. Epidermal cell length remains relatively constant but decreases in the region of the matured IM. Anatomical data are presented graphically and are correlated with internodal growth.