Equisetum morphology
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Epidermis is single layered with stomata and
heavily coated with silica deposits
·
Outer cortex is sclerenchymatous and
chlorenchymatous
·
Often sclerenchaymatous below ridges followed by
chlorenchymatous region
·
Inner cortex is made up of large parenchymatous
cells with vallecular canals.
·
Vallecular canals are large air filled,
intercellular spaces below the furrows in inner cortex
·
It is a hydrophytic character
·
Endodermis and pericycle single layered
·
Stele: Eustele, siphonostele; ring of vascular
bundles below the ridges.
·
Vascular bundle is conjoint, collateral and
closed and separated from one another by parenchyma
·
V.B consists of xylem, phloem and carinal canal
·
Xylem is poorly developed.
·
Carinal canal is a water filled region present
in the vascular bundle.
·
Formed by the disintegration of protoxylem
tracheids
·
Pith: Large central cavity filled with water
(hydrophytic character)
