. British plants; their biology and ecology. Botany; Botany; Plant ecology. 278 BRITISH PLANTS 1. Flora of Mud-Flats and Salt-Marshes.—On the muddy margins of estuaries, and in low-lying ground liable to periodic floods from the sea, the soil is saturated with salt- water, and the plants are typical halophytes, with fleshy leaves or stems (p. 88). Usually submerged in the water of the estuary is a zone of Zostera, and above this, on the flat reaches, wholly or partially submerged at high tide, the only vegeta- tion consists of Salicornia herhacea (annual glass- wort), or in some parts S. radic
. British plants; their biology and ecology. Botany; Botany; Plant ecology. 278 BRITISH PLANTS 1. Flora of Mud-Flats and Salt-Marshes.—On the muddy margins of estuaries, and in low-lying ground liable to periodic floods from the sea, the soil is saturated with salt- water, and the plants are typical halophytes, with fleshy leaves or stems (p. 88). Usually submerged in the water of the estuary is a zone of Zostera, and above this, on the flat reaches, wholly or partially submerged at high tide, the only vegeta- tion consists of Salicornia herhacea (annual glass- wort), or in some parts S. radicans (perennial). These may form a thick sward if the mud is only just covered at high tide, but when the water is deeper the plants stand far apart. The Salicornias have fleshy green stems and minute, adpressed, succulent leaves (Fig. 113); the cell-sap is highly con- centrated, and in every way the plant is excellently adapted for life in this extreme xerophytic en- vironment. Salicornia is the first inhabitant of the mud - flat, and sediment brought down by the river is caught at the base of the plants. As the mud accumulates, the flat be- comes higher and drier, and other plants now begin to colonize the ground. The earliest of these new-comers are Glyceria maritima and Triglochin maritimum, which sometimes form a distinct zone above the Salicornia. Out of reach of the highest tides the general salt-marsh flora develops. The vegetation is frequently of two types. In the wetter parts a salt reed-swamp develops, characterized by monocotyledons with erect, narrow leaves,. Fig. 113.—Salicornia heriacea (Annual Glasswoet). (Aftee SOWEKBY.). Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Bevis, James Frederick; Jeffery, Henry John. London, Methuen
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, booksubjectbotany, bookyear1920
