F. Dallavecchia et al., Endodermis-like sheaths in the submerged freshwater macrophyte Ranunculus trichophyllus Chaix, ANN BOTANY, 83(1), 1999, pp. 93-97
Light, fluorescence and electron microscopical analysis of the rooted fresh
water plant Ranunculus trichophyllus revealed a peculiar anatomical feature
. In addition to the true endodermis encircling the root stele, endodermis-
like sheaths occurred around each vascular bundle of the leaf segments and
of the eustelic stem with its large central cavity, which assumed an anatom
ical feature resembling that of some pteridophyte stems. These impermeable
sheaths, whose cells differentiate suberized walls, can play a major role i
n hampering the apoplastic leakage of the pressurized water solution which
flows throughout the plant in xylem vessels and contains the mineral nutrie
nts taken up by the roots from the sediment. Moreover, these sheaths can fu
nction in preventing flooding of the aerenchymatic cavities of the submerge
d organs. In this way the endodermis-like sheaths preserve the correct circ
ulation of gas and nutrient solution through the entire organism and assume
great significance as a structural mechanism evolved by this species to su
rvive and grow underwater. (C) 1998 Annals of Botany Company.