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Many Ericaceae have furrowed leaves (rolled-in leaf margins) similar to Loiseleuria. Another example is the evergreen dwarf shrub Empetrum nigrum. Such leaves are mechanically robust and protect the stomata (which are all located in the leaf cavity) from wetting (Fig. 2). (Alps, near Davos, Switzerland, 2300 m) |
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| 1. | Bud in autumn. The white, furrowed gaps formed by the almost touching leaf margins are easily visible. |
| 2. | Cross-section through leaf. |
| 3. | Alpine dwarf shrub community in autumn. Vaccinium myrtillus (red leaves), Vaccinium uliginosum (green leaves), and Empetrum nigrum (needle-shaped leaves). |
| 4. | Habit of Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum. |
| 5. | Withered flowers (shortly after snowmelt). |
| 6. | Unripe berry. |
| 7. | Ripe berry. |
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29 August 2011 |
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