Some observations on lateral branching and nodal anatomy ofCalotropis

Abstract

Certain peculiarities in the lateral branching ofCalotropis gigantea andCalotropis procera are investigated.C. gigantea occasionally shows fusion of an inflorescence branch or branches with the internode of the main axis. The corresponding histological changes in the nodal anatomy are described. Altogether, there are four important variations from the normal branching habit and nodal anatomy inC. gigantea. In some cases the leaf trace, the vegetative branch trace and the inflorescence branch trace appear to have a common gap. In certain other cases, the leaf trace and vegetative bud trace appear to have a common gap, and the inflorescence bud trace has another gap. In another case the leaf and inflorescence bud traces show a common gap. The concept of the branch gap is discussed.