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Rhizomatous Lotus corniculatus L.: II. Morphology and Anatomy of Rhizomes

Dep. of Agronomy, Univ. of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211
USDA-ARS, Plant Genetics Res. Unit, Columbia, MO, 65211

^* Corresponding author (paul_beuselinck{at}muccmail.missouri.edu).

Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) is a valuable forage legume. Rhizomatous L. corniculatus germplasm from Morocco was recently discovered. Increased persistence may result from rhizomatous habit, because new plants vegetatively generated by rhizomes could replace diseased or dead plants. Rhizome morphology in L. corniculatus from Morocco is unique because taxonomic descriptions for L. corniculatus do not include the presence of rhizomes. The objectives of this study are to describe and compare morphology and anatomy of subterranean lateral shoots (rhizomes) and aerial shoots (stems) L. corniculatus. Rhizomes of Moroccan L. corniculatus are initiated from axillary buds on basal portions of shoots. The rhizome consists of nodes and internodes, with buds, scale leaves, and adventitious roots occurring at each node. Anatomically, the rhizome of L. corniculatus has a large cortex, small pith, and six to seven primary vascular bundles. No endodermis exists in the cortex, and parenchyma cells contain starch. In contrast, the aerial shoot of L. corniculatus has a small cortex, large pith, and nine to 10 primary vascular bundles. An endodermoid layer is peripheral to the concentric ring of vascular bundles of the aerial shoot, and parenchyma cells in the cortex contain chloroplasts. Morphological and anatomical differences between L. corniculatus rhizomes and aerial shoots are distinguishable.

Received for publication February 23, 1995.

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