Description
The atlas presents the first time an overview of anatomical structures of Poaceae (Gramineae) culms. Integrated are cross-sections of 80 genera with 300 species of the European alpine region from sea level to the alpine zone.
All sections are double stained with safranin and astrablue and documented by high quality microphotographs with magnifications of 100 and 400 times. Anatomical descriptions highlight the most characteristic features. The herbarium voucher, their labels and the position of section are documented on http://www.herbarien.uzh.ch/en/datenbanken/belegsuche.html.
The microstructure of Poaceae culms is relatively homogeneous, however some features can be related to plant size, vegetation zones and humidity conditions. Culm size is the main driver for anatomical adaptions. Important culm characteristics are the form of the unlignified assimilating parts (chlorenchyma), width, form and density of the lignified culm-walls and the distribution of the vascular bundles.
The study is based exclusively on material from the United Herbaria Z+ZT of the University and ETH Zürich and contains specimens from Austria, Germany, France and Switzerland.
