Study of sclereids inNymphoides cristatum (Roxb.) O. Kuntz

Abstract

It is seen that the sclereids inNymphoides cristatum are absent in the floral parts excepting the fruits and are present in vegetative parts excepting the roots and stipules. The sclereids are differentiated from a ground parenchyma cell in the rhizome, from a mesophyll cell bordering the air-canal in the leaf and from a parenchyma cell in the fruit. It is suggested that the sclereids make up for the deficiency of lignified tissues in the plant. Their presence in many hydrophytes may be correlated with lack of lignified tissues.