SEM observation on anatomical structure of Elytrigia elongata and E. intermedia

The anatomical structure of root, stem, leaf and rhizome of Elytrigia elongata and E. intermedia was examined under the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The anatomical structure of root transverse section was consisted with epidermis, cortex and stele. The number of root hairs appeared in the epidermis, and the endodermis cell had 5 thickened walls and was the horseshoeshaped in the transverse section. Two circles of vascular bundles and a central pith cavity showed in the stem and rhizome morphology. The leaf was differentiated into 3 parts, including epidermis, mesophyll and veins. The epidermal cell consisted with long cells, stomata cells, bulliform cells and subsidiary objects. Two species had significant difference in leaf epidermis micromorphology, 3 to 4 rows of papilla were distributed in the costal zone of E. elongata leaves, but 3 to 4 rows of prickle hair were distributed in the same areas of E. intermedia leaves. In addition, the welldeveloped similar aerenchyma was found in the root cortex and further research is necessary to find out the cause.