Leaf morphological and anatomical traits variation of Artemisia herba-alba in a steppe zone of Algeria

Othmane Merah, Ahmed Adda, Hachemi Benhassaini, Khadidja Abderabbi

Abstract: The present study was interested on the leaf morphological and anatomical parameters characterization and variation of Artemisia herba-alba Asso population in a steppe zone of western Algeria. The results showed signifi cant micro- and macromorphological variability between individuals in the study population. The leaf anatomy brings the presence of a water reserve parenchyma in this species. This parenchyma would be a water accumulation site during dry periods and it is therefore an effective mechanism for drought adaptation. The anatomical parameters studied also show signifi cant variations. The other anatomical parameters of the leaf also have a very pronounced variability. It is shown through this study that morpho-anatomical models are established. Thus, the increase of the water reserve parenchyma thickness is accompanied by an increase of the chlorophyll parenchyma and the stomatal density, and the opposite situation was observed.

Keywords: adaptation; anatomy; Artemisia; leaf; morphology; water reserve parenchyma

Date published: 2018-08-30