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The Structure and Function of Salt Glands

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Plants in Saline Environments

Part of the book series: Ecological Studies ((ECOLSTUD,volume 15))

Abstract

Many halophytic plants have epidermal glands on their leaves and stems which secrete salt (Metcalfe and Chalk, 1950). These glands have been considered efficient devices for the secretion of excess salt which accumulates in the tissue (Haberlandt, 1914; Helder, 1956; Scholander, 1968; Scholander et al., 1962; 1965; 1966). Helder (1956) indicated that salt glands were common in the families Plumbaginaceae and Frankeniaceae but only occurred in a few scattered species outside these families. However, many other plants are known to have trichomes, glands, and glandular structures, but in many instances further investigations are needed to determine their secretion products. Many of these may possibly be salt glands (i.e. specialized structures which secrete minerals and ions) and an understanding of the general distribution and significance of salt glands must await further information.

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  1. Department of Botany, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

    A. Poljakoff-Mayber  & J. Gale  & 

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Thomson, W.W. (1975). The Structure and Function of Salt Glands. In: Poljakoff-Mayber, A., Gale, J. (eds) Plants in Saline Environments. Ecological Studies, vol 15. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-80929-3_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-80929-3_9

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-80931-6

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