Comparative Anatomical study of Leaflets and stems of some species of the genus Astragalus L. in relation to Photosynthetic Pathways

Abstract

The internal structure of leaflets and stems of five Astragalus species (A. dactylocarpus Boiss , A. hamosus L, A. kirrindicus Boiss , A. russelii Banks &Sol , A spinosus (Forssk) Muschl , from Iraq  were studied in relation to photosynthetic  pathway. Anatomy  of these  plant organs  was  found  important in seprating  between  studied  species and in identification of their photosynthetic pathway as well. According to leaflet anatomy, A. dactylocarpus Boiss , A. hamosus L. and A. kirrindicus Boiss were characterized as C3 – plants  while  A.russelii Banks &sol  and A. spinosus (Forssk) Muschl. exhibited  two different forms of  C3-C4 plants.