Root apical organization in gymnosperms

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The roots of Ephedra foliata have a long cap. The root apical meristem can be distinguished into (1) a discrete layer of stelar initials, (2) the columella and its initials, and (3) a common initiating region for the cortex and the peripheral region of the cap. The study of the cell lineages brings out that the first zone and its derivatives show a “Körper” complex of cells, the second and its derivatives divide in a transverse plane, and the third zone exhibits the “Kappe” complex. This organization resembles the “gymnospermous” type mentioned in the older literature in the discreteness of the “plerome”. A possible line of evolution of the root apical structures of gymnosperms is suggested.