Abstract

APOSTOLO, Nancy Mariel. Anatomic features of Salado river coastal vegetation (Northwest of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina). Bol. Soc. Argent. Bot. [online]. 2005, vol.40, n.3-4, pp.215-227. ISSN 1851-2372.

In order to determine the anatomical features acting as adaptive strategies to the environment, 21 species were studied (12 Dicotyledoneae and nine Monocotyledoneae) belonging to the coastal vegetation of the Salado river. These species are included in wetlands of Salado River Basin and are affected by flooding, drought and high salinity in water and soil. Typical anatomical features of wetland plants combined with xeromorphic characters could act as adaptive strategies seen to allow the species survive. Poaceae and Cyperaceae species and some Asteracae have aerenchyma in stems and roots. Kranz structure is present in 50 % of the species. A few Dicotyledoneae (Aizoaceae and Asteraceae) show covering trichomes. Water storage tissue and mucilage are evident in Aizoaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Malvaceae and Asteraceae. Epicuticular waxes are present in all analyzed species. The 40 % of studied species show salt glands, mainly Poaceae. Calcium and magnesium oxalate crystals in diverse shapes are observed in the majority of Dicotyledoneae, absent in Monocotyledoneae. These anatomical features express the capacity of species to survive at extreme environmental conditions in coastal vegetation of Salado River.

Keywords : Dicotyledoneae; Monocotyledoneae; Aerenchyma; Kranz structure; Oxalate crystals; Salado River; Salt glands.

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