Effects of altitude on anatomy of Plantago major and Plantago lanceolata

Anatomy and morphology of leaf, stem and root of Plantago lanceolata and P. major were examined in two different altitudes by using electron and light microscopy. A comparative study of the anatomy indicated a difference between the leaf, stem and root structure includes trichomes and stomata density, cuticle and epidermal thickness, type of mesophyll, stem diameter, periderm and parenchyma thickness, vessel length and aeranchyma spaces in root. The study of altitude effect on these two species indicate that altitude cause increase in trichomes and stomata density, cuticle and epidermal cells thickness, lamina thickness in leaf, also periderm thickness, parenchyma layer thickness and vessel length and root diameter increase with increase of altitude where as aeranchyma spaces in root decrease with increase of altitude.