Anatomical and micromorphological peculiarities of Adonis vernalis L. (Ranunculaceae)

Adonis vernalis is a pontic element and rare plant distributed in grassland communities in the south-east europe steppe zone. histo-anatomical and micromorphological investigations regarding root,stem and leaves was carried out in order to emphasize the adaptation of this species to the living environment. the root acquires early secondary structure by cambium activity; the exodermis shows casparian bands. root epidermis consists of cells with thickened walls; the absorbent hairs are absent. the stem has primary structure from the top to the basis. the vascular bundles,of different dimensions are arranged in a circle. cortical bundles,of collateral and concentric types,were also observed. the sclerenchyma sheaths from the periphery of the vascular bundles become visible at the stem basis. the tector hairs are present only on young leaves. the anatomy of vegetative organs showed some xerophytic structures,but the majority of their features are those of typical mesophytes. these features are correlated with the plant life cycle.