Adaptive Features of the Leaf of <i>Juno vicaria</i> (Vved.) T. Hall & Seisums in Different Ecological Conditions of Uzbekistan

Abstract

The anatomical structure of the leaf of the Central Asian endemic species of Juno vicaria, growing in two different ecological conditions (Baysun Mountains of Surkhandary region and Tashkent Botanical Garden of Uzbekistan) was analyzed and diagnostic signs were determined. Also identified are adaptive mesomorphic and xeromorphic signs from an environmental point of view. A species that grows in natural habitat is dominated by more xeromorphic signs: a thickened outer wall of the epidermis; numerous epidermal, spongy cells; submerged stomata; small, multi-row sclerenchymal and collenchymal cells, which indicate a more xeromorphic and adaptability, as well as the wide distribution of this species to the natural growing conditions. In a species growing under the conditions of introduction of the Tashkent Botanical Garden, more mesomorphic features predominate: thin-walled, large, few epidermal, spongy cells; not immersed stomata; large non multi-row sclerenchymal and collenchymal cells, which show that the species is adapted to altered habitat conditions.