Summary
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.
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Pillai, A. Root apical organization in gymnosperms. Planta 70, 26–33 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00539907
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00539907