Anatomy And Morphology Of Rhizophora Stylosa In Relation To Internal Airflow And Attim's Plant Architecture

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this research was to: (1) document the path of internal airflow, (2) describe and quantify tissues of internal airflow, and (3) determine if the amounts of aerenchyma in leaves, stems, and roots are relatively constant among plants of Rhizophora stylosa. Cork warts of leaves (average of 10.1 cork warts per mm2 of leaf surface) are sites of air uptake. Cork warts deliver air to aerenchyma tissues near adaxial leaf surfaces (30% of total leaf volume). Air becomes pressurized within illuminated leaf blade aerenchyma by hygrometric pressurization and this air enters the petiole aerenchyma. In turn, the petiole aerenchyma joins the stem aerenchyma (5.5% of total stem area). Air descends the stem aerenchyma and then passes to the inner aerenchyma of stilt roots (about 15% of root cross-sectional area). Air descends in the inner aerenchyma of roots and eventually enters the smallest roots growing in anoxic substrates. From these terminal portions of roots, air ascends the outer aerenchyma...