Title: Structure and ultrastructure of Pinus canariensis needles
Abstract: The present study using light, transmission and scanning electron microscopy contains information about the structure of the needles of Pinus canariensis, an endemic pine of the Canary Islands. As a three-needled species, they have a triangular shape in transverse section being the abaxial side hemispherical. The deeply sunken stomata and the waxes covering the epidermal cells as well as the epistomatal chamber, constitute a good adaptation to the loss of water. The mechanical tissue below the epidermis contributes to a higher drought resistance and to maintain the shape of the long needles as a skeletic tissue. The ultrastructure of mesophyll cells, transfusion tissues as well as endoderrnis and resin ducts is also described. The results of this study should be used as reference data for further investigations of physiological, biochemical and ultrastructural responses of this species to environmental variations due to pollutants and different altitudinal and exposure situations.
Publication Year: 2000
Publication Date: 2000-08-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 26
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot