The open structure of a water plant

Hippurus (Hippuris) vulgaris or mare’s-tail is a very common swamp and pond plant. This plant (a helophyte) is counted among the oxygen plants because the underwater leaves also produce a lot of oxygen and resemble water plague (Elodea). But the piece that raises a few decimeters above water looks like a small pine tree. Mare’s-tail can form large masses and continue spreading through means of rhizomes. Mare’s-tail grows preferably on clay soil and especially in brackish water.

In the cross section of the stem shown on the picture, the large vessels can be recognized, that serve for the transport of air required for the carbon assimilation and buoyancy of the plant. Some starch grains can be seen in the cells as well. When using polarization filters this could be made more visible. The thin coupe of the plant stem was stained with New Methylene blue and embedded in Caedax. The prepared slide dates from 1960; high quality vintage you could say.

With thanks to KAGM for the slide www.microscopie.be