The anatomical features of the desert halophytes Zygophyllum album L.F. and Nitraria retusa (Forssk.) Asch

The morpho-anatomical features of Zygophyllum album L.F. and Nitraria retusa growing on the El sokhna region, adjacent western coast of Red sea, Egypt, which contribute for their adaptation to the stressful habitat conditions were studied. An analysis of the morphological and anatomical characters of their leaves, stems and roots revealed representative of the halo-xerophilic characters among these plants. Adaptation is achieved by succulence, the presence of trichomes, sunken stomata, cylindrical leaves, laminate unifacial leaves, xylem fibers, sclerenchyma tissue, storage materials and crystals. The above mentioned morpho-anatomical features in response to the stressful conditions could be considered as anatomical function to adaptation to drought, salinity and heat stress.