Morpho-anatomical characterization of Rhododendron subsessile Rendle,an endangered species of the Cordillera Central Range,Philippines

摘要

Conservation of endangered plant species requires a prerequisite basic knowledge of their taxonomy and ecology.Unfortunately in the Cordillera Central Range,several species have not been studied,even though this area harbors a unique type of vegetation not found in other parts of the Philippines.This study documents the morpho-anatomical characteristics of Rhododendron subsessile Rendle,one of the unique and endangered fl ora in the area.The species exhibits a morphology typical of plants in high elevations,being a hardy shrub with small tough leaves,and showy pink fl owers that rival those of commercial rhododendron species.New fi ndings on the species morphology include a variable number of corolla lobes,stamens and a description of its fruits and seeds.The anatomical features of the species are reported here for the fi rst time.The plant exhibits a typical dicot anatomy with dorsiventral leaves,woody stem and root system with the usual arrangement of periderm followed by secondary phloem,vascular cambium,secondary xylem with vessel elements and pith(in the case of the stem).A unique characteristic was identifi ed as the biseriate upper epidermis of the leaf.Documenting themorphological and anatomical features of the species should prove valuable as input baseline information in formulating measures for its conservation.