B. Papp szerk.: Studia Botanica Hungarica 36. 2005 (Budapest, 2005)

Bercu, R.: Contributions to the anatomy of Asplenium ruta-muraria

Stildia bot. hung. 36, pp. 13-20, 2005 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ANATOMY OF ASPLENIUM RUTA-MURARIA R. BERCU Department of Botany, Faculty of Natural Science and Agriculture, "Ovidius" University Mamaia Str. 124, 900590, Constanzci, Romania; E-mail: rodicabercu@yahoo.com The paper provides new data regarding the anatomical structure of the adventitious root, the rhizome and the leaf (petiole, rachis and pinnulae) of Asplenium ruta-muraria. The petiole and rachis structure were analysed by serial cross sections, distributed from the base up to the rachis tip, with special reference to the variation in the vascular system organisation. With 8 figures and detailed illustrations. Key words: anatomy, adventitious root, Asplenium ruta-muraria, pinnae, rhizome INTRODUCTION Asplenium ruta-muraria L. (Aspleniaceae), known as wall rue, is a very common fem often found growing on old stone or brick walls and in the wild on stony outcrops, cliffs across the Carpathians. Asplenium ruta-muraria currently can be found in the Eastern Carpathians (Rodna Mountains (Pietrosu peak), Ceahlau and Piatra Mare Mountains, in Southern Carpathians, especially in Bucegi Mountains (Ciubotea, Babele, Ialomita Cave), Saint Ana lake, Sibiu, Fagaras, and Retezat Mountains. It is common throughout the Western Carpathians in the Banat Mountains region (Herculane, Great Valley, Cernei Valley, Domoglod Mountain) and Apuseni Mountains (Piatra Cetei, Trascau Mountains) and Turzii Gorge and in Bihor mountains (Ponorului Fortresses) as well. It can be found sporadically in Dobrudja Plateau hills in Mäcin Mountains (Consul and Suluc peaks), which is a solitary mountain isolated from the Carpathians by the Danube river. In natural habitats it occurs on limestone or sometimes basalt bedrock. Following spring growth, it ripens in the summer and has wintergreen leaves. Its axis and stalk are green, and brown at the very base. Fronds are evergreen, with a length of 1-6.5 cm. Pinnulae leathery, ovate shaped and toothed. It is a tufted perennial but often many dead stalks remain attached around the plant. It is sporulating from June to September (SÄVULESCU 1952). In general, knowledge of the fern structure, especially those concerning the variation in the vascular system organisation of the vegetative organs, are quite limited, especially in the case of Asplenium ruta-muraria L. Studia Botanica Hungarica .?6, 2005 Hungarian Natural History Museum. Budapest