Variation in petiole anatomy of the European spiny species of Astragalus L. (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae-Galegeae)

Abstract

Transverse sections of petioles from the fourteen species of European spiny Astragalus have been examined. Variation between species was found in several anatomical characters including shape of petiole in transverse section; number of cortical layers; number of vascular bundles; amount of collenchyma tissue and shape and abundance of pith cells. Two major groups of species may be recognized on the basis of anatomical features.