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Morphological and anatomical analyses of rheophytic Rhododendron ripense Makino (Ericaceae)
Author(s) -
UEDA RYOSUKE,
MINAMIYA YUKIO,
HIRATA AYA,
HAYAKAWA HIROSHI,
MURAMATSU YUKO,
SAITO MICHIHIRO,
FUKUDA TATSUYA
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
plant species biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.419
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 1442-1984
pISSN - 0913-557X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-1984.2011.00345.x
Subject(s) - ericaceae , biology , botany , riparian zone , morphology (biology) , leaf size , zoology , ecology , habitat
The comparative morphology and anatomy of the leaves of the rheophytic Rhododendron ripense and the closely related inland species Rhododendron macrosepalum were examined. The leaf of R. ripense is thinner than that of R. macrosepalum , with leaf length to width ratios (leaf index) of 2.92 and 1.91, respectively. Moreover, the leaf of R. ripense consists of fewer cells than the leaf of R. macrosepalum , suggesting stenophyllization of R. ripense caused by the decreased number of cells. In addition, leaf thickness and the number of stomata per leaf of R. ripense were significantly greater than those of R. macrosepalum , but the density of the short glandular pilose hairs on the leaf of R. ripense was lower. The observed morphological differences between the two species may be explained by certain aspects of the riparian environment, such as high irradiation and frequent flooding after heavy rainfall, to which R. ripense is exposed.