Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum
Many
Ericaceae
have furrowed leaves (rolled-in leaf margins) similar to
Loiseleuria.
Another example is the evergreen dwarf shrub
Empetrum nigrum.
Such leaves are mechanically robust and protect the stomata (which are all located
in the leaf cavity) from wetting
(Fig. 2).
(Alps, near Davos, Switzerland, 2300 m)
1 -
Bud in autumn. The white, furrowed gaps formed by the almost touching leaf
margins are easily visible.
1
2 -
Cross-section through leaf.
2
3 -
Alpine dwarf shrub community in autumn.
Vaccinium myrtillus
(red leaves),
Vaccinium uliginosum
(green leaves), and
Empetrum nigrum
(needle-shaped leaves).
3
4 -
Habit of
Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum.
4
5 -
Withered flowers (shortly after snowmelt).
5
6 -
Unripe berry.
6
7 -
Ripe berry.
7
Captions
-
Bud in autumn. The white, furrowed gaps formed by the almost touching leaf
margins are easily visible.
-
Cross-section through leaf.
-
Alpine dwarf shrub community in autumn.
Vaccinium myrtillus
(red leaves),
Vaccinium uliginosum
(green leaves), and
Empetrum nigrum
(needle-shaped leaves).
-
Habit of
Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum.
-
Withered flowers (shortly after snowmelt).
-
Unripe berry.
-
Ripe berry.