Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Computer Analysis Of Cross Sections Of Leaves Of Chrysothamnus Taxa And Their Relation To Environmental Conditions, J. Huang, W. M. Hess, D. J. Weber, E. D. Mcarthur, S. E. Meyer, R. Seegmiller

Great Basin Naturalist

Thirty-eight accessions of 20 taxa (species and subspecies) of Chrysothamnus from a range of environments were grown in a uniform garden. During mid-June, terminal and lateral leaves were removed, fixed, and processed for light-microscopy studies. Area and perimeter measurements of ink tracings of midleaf vein cross sections were measured using computer-scan techniques. Leaf area and perimeter were compared with vein perimeter and area measurements. Area and perimeter of these Chrysothamnus leaves varied in response to the environment at the collection location. Plants native to hot, dry conditions had small, thick leaves, whereas plants native to cooler, more mesic conditions had …