A Handbook of Some South Indian Grasses

by K. Rangachari; C. Tadulinga Mudaliyar

Fig. 57.—Transverse section of a portion of the leaf of Eragrostis Willdenoviana. × 150
1. Motor cells; 2. stomata; 3. sclerenchyma; 4. chlorophyllous layer; 5. vascular strand cut through; 6. hair.

Fig. 58.—Transverse section of a part of the leaf of Panicum colonum. × 30
1. Vascular bundle; 2. sclerenchyma; 3. motor cells.

Even from the few examples dealt with above, it is obvious that the range of variation of sclerenchyma in leaves is very great. In the leaves of Aristida setacea there is a considerable amount of sclerenchyma whilst in some leaves such as those of Panicum colonum, P. flavidum and Panicum fluitans the sclerenchyma is reduced to its minimum.

Fig. 59.—Transverse section of a part of the leaf of Panicum fluitans. × 30
1. Vascular bundle; 2. sclerenchyma.

In the leaves of grasses growing in dry situations the development of sclerenchyma is generally very considerable. The grass Aristida setacea is a good example of a xerophytic grass. The sea-shore grass Spinifex squarrosus is another example of the same kind. But in the leaves of this grass, the development of sclerenchyma is not very considerable, but there is a great development of parenchymatous cells free from chlorophyll within the leaf, the chlorophyll bearing cells being confined to the upper and the lower surfaces of the leaves.