Anatomy and Morphology of Two Hawaiian Endemic Portulaca Species

Abstract

In this study, the vegetative and reproductive morphology and anatomy of two Hawaiian endemic Portulaca species were examined. Specifically, P. molokiniensis and P. sclerocarpa were compared to closely related species in the genus. The comparisons were both qualitative and quantitative, using characteristics of leaves, stems, roots, and fruits. Tissue organizations of vegetative and reproductive parts of the plants were assessed using microtechnique procedures, statistical analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The most notable features of these two species were (1) the size and frequency of stomata in P. molokiniensis, and (2) the large number of sclerenchymatous cell layers in the thickest fruit walls of P. sclerocarpa. These findings may imply that stomata development in P. molokiniensis and thick fruit wall development in P. sclerocarpa are evolved features of survival. In particular, the development of thickened walls in indehiscent fruits likely has evolutionary implications of ecological tolerance for better adaptation.