ANATOMICAL CONSIDERATIONS ON SPANISH GYPSOPHYTES. WHERE IS THEIR PLACE WITHIN PLANT ECOLOGY?

Several gypsophytes collected from gypsum soils (Tuejar, Spain) were histo-anatomically investigated. Their anatomical features are discussed in relation to environmental conditions and possible constraint factors occurring in these gypsic areas. The apparent xeromorphosis adaptations (intense lignification, succulence, presence of protective hairs) could suggest that gypsophytes vegetate in habitats affected by physical or physiological drought. However, the nature and position of these species in a distinct, well-defined ecological class are largely commented.