Salvadora oleoides Decne. (Salvadoraceae) is a facultative and mesomorphic xerophyte, well adapted to arid and semi-arid regions. Twelve populations were selected from different ecological regions of Punjab to investigate structural modifications that are essential for water conservation, by either improving water-storing capacity or preventing water loss from the plant body, hence, enabling this species to cope with environmental extremities. We observed significant plasticity in structural features, which ensures ecological success in a variety of environmental conditions. Huge variation was seen in various tissue systems, ., epidermis and epidermal appendages, collenchyma, size of internal oil glands, storage parenchyma, shape, size and arrangement of vascular tissue, intensity of sclerification, and stomatal size, shape and orientation. |
