Structure and function in the grass ligule: presence of veined and membranous ligules on the same culm of British grasses

Chaffey, N (1985) 'Structure and function in the grass ligule: presence of veined and membranous ligules on the same culm of British grasses.' New Phytologist, 101 (4). pp. 613-621.

Abstract

Fifty-six grass species, representing 18 tribes, were examined for the presence of both veined and membranous ligules in the same culm. This phenomenon was found in only nine species –Agrostis gigantea Roth., A. stolonifera L., Alopecurus pratensis L., Holcus lanatus L., H. mollis L., Phleum pratense L., Phalaris arundinacea L., Dactylis glomerata L. and Poa trivialis L. The abaxial epidermal anatomy of both ligule types is described for each species; the main differences noted were the presence of vascular tissue with associated chlorenchyma and stomata in the veined ligules. This heteroligulate condition is discussed in relation to possible functions of the grass ligule.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Epidermis; light microscopy; ligule (veined); Poaceae; stomata
Subjects:	Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology Q Science > QK Botany
Divisions:	School of Sciences
Date Deposited:	20 Jul 2015 12:22
Last Modified:	15 Aug 2021 09:40
ISSN:	1469-8137
URI / Page ID:	https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/6374

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