Comparative anatomical structure of the leaf <i>Rhododendron catawbiense</i> Michx. and <i>Rhododendron brachycarpum</i> D. Don, growing under conditions of N.V. Tsitsin Main Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Abstract

The paper deals with anatomical parameters of the leaf of two genus representatives Rhododendron L.: R. catawbiense Michx. and R. brachycarpum D. Don, cultivated under conditions of N.V. Tsitsin Main Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The morpho-anatomical structure of the leaf, used in the diagnosis and taxonomy of species, is also a key indicator of its functional characteristics. It is no less important for studying the mechanisms of their adaptation during introduction into new growing conditions and allows to find ways to optimize the conditions of their life and cultivation. Introduction experience is a prerequisite for studying the adaptive potential of species and for developing methods for managing the growth and development of these plants. The paper provides a detailed ecological and geographical characteristics of natural growth areas of R. catawbiense (eastern part of North America), R. brachycarpum (Far East, Republic of Korea, Japan) and the introduction area of Moscow (North-Eastern Administrative District, N.V. Tsitsin Main Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences). In this work, for the first time, a detailed anatomical and morphological analysis of the leaf structure of two genus representatives Rhododendron: R. catawbiense and R. brachycarpum was carried out, and diagnostic signs of changes in the parameters of the structure of leaves, formed in conditions different from the natural habitats of species, were revealed during their introduction into N.V. Tsitsin Main Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences.