Anatomical plasticity in species of Deschampsia P. Beauv. (Poaceae) in SW Europe (Iberian Peninsula)

The utility of leaf anatomy in the taxonomy of the genus Deschampsia is dis cussed. To this end, the inter- and intra-populational variability of this character is analyzed in the taxa of the genus which are represented in the Iberian Peninsula (Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) Beauv. s.l., D. setacea (Hud s.) Hack. and D, flexuosa (L.) Trin.), as well as in Holcus grandiflorus Bo iss. and H. caespitosus Boiss., two Spanish endemic species which some auth ors include in Deschampsia. A critical analysis of their observed anatomica l plasticity is given, evidencing the great intra-individual variability wh en wild plants are grown under experimental conditions.