Structural and cytochemical investigation of the leaf of silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium), a drought-resistant alien weed of the Greek flora
Nikolaos S. Christodoulakis A C , Paraskevi-Niki Lampri A and Costas Fasseas BA Department of Botany, Faculty of Biology, University of Athens, Athens 15701, Hellas (Greece).
B Laboratory of Electron Microscopy, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, Athens 11855, Hellas (Greece).
C Corresponding author. Email: nchristo@biol.uoa.gr
Australian Journal of Botany 57(5) 432-438 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT08210
Submitted: 25 November 2008 Accepted: 14 July 2009 Published: 14 September 2009
Abstract
Light and scanning electron microscopy as well as histochemical reactions were employed to investigate the leaf structure and secretory activity of an adventive perennial pest that is rapidly dispersing in the Mediterranean region. Interesting structural characteristics, not common among the well-adapted native Mediterranean phanerophytes, were observed. Although ‘unconventional’, these structural characteristics produce an ecologically equivalent, xeromorphic leaf on a plant that proves to be competitive and very efficient under the Mediterranean climatic conditions.
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