A Remarkable New Leaf Type With Unusual Photosynthetic Tissue in a Central Asiatic Genus of Chenopodiaceae

Abstract: From the hygrohalophyte Borszczowia aralocaspica Bunge (Chenopodiaceae), a new leaf type with 1-layered chlorenchyma is described as "borszczovoid" and compared with other leaf types in subfamily Salsoloideae. The chlorenchyma is suspected to represent a unique C₄ type. Evidence is cited from anatomical studies and documented by micrographs and Carbon isotope determinations (ä¹³C values). The 1-layered photosynthetic tissue combines all essential anatomical characters of a 2-layered chlorenchyma of regular C₄ plants and is in intimate contact with concentrically arranged peripheral bundles. The ä¹³C values are ? 13.03 ‰ from young stems and ? 13.78 ‰ from leaves. The results are discussed in the anatomical, physiological and taxonomic framework. In addition, from distantly-related Suaeda species of section Conosperma the conospermoid leaf type is re-described. It is characterized by typical palisade and Kranz layers and differs from the C₄ suaedoid type by an external water-storaging hypodermis and an arrangement of Kranz cells reminiscent of the atriplicoid type from subfamily Chenopodioideae. From eight other species of Chenopodiaceae ä¹³C values are given for the first time.