LEAF MICROMORPHOLOGY OF SEA CLIFF AND INLAND PLANTS OF AGROSTIS STOLONIFERA L., DACTYLUS GLOMERATA L. AND HOLCUS LANATUS L.

Scanning electron microscope examination of the morphology of adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces of salt spray-tolerant and normal plants of Agrostis stolonifera L., Dactylis glomerata L. and Holcus lanatus L. was carried out. Differences were found in degree and types of waxiness of epidermal cells, number and size of macro-hairs and prickles, epidermal cell lengths and extent to which stomata were sunken. These differences were consistent with a reduction of the wettability, and hence salt spray damage, to adaxial leaf surfaces. Abaxial leaf surface differences were much less pronounced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]