Structural adaptations for adaptability in some exotic and naturalized species of agavaceae

A study was conducted to evaluate the structural modifications in some agave (a. americana,a. americana var. marginata,a. decipiens,a. x leopoldii,a. sisalana,and a. vera-cruz) and yucca (y. aloifolia,y. aloifolia 'marginata',y. elephantipes,and y. gloriosa) species in relation to their distribution,cultivation and escape. agave americana and its var. marginata,and yucca aloifolia and its cv. marginata had high values of root epidermis thickness and its cell area,root endodermis thickness and cell area,root cortical cell area,root vascular region area,leaf parenchyma cell area,leaf vascular bundle area,and leaf metaxylem area and thus these species show considerable adaptations to a variety of environments. multivariate analysis supported the relationship of anatomical characteristics with morphological features to some extent. thus,the specific anatomical features recorded in this study have considerable importance for taxonomic studies.