Thesis (BS Biology) -- University of the Philippines Mindanao, 2004

Anatomical examination of the root and leaf samples collected from three different sites in Mindanao was done to compare the internal structure of Metroxylon sagu growing under mesophytic (Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur and Laak, Compostela Valley) and hydrophytic (Bunawan, Agusan del Sur) conditions. Sago palms exhibited differences in the arrangement of cells and the composition of the ground tissues of the root and the leaf. The root ground tissue of both spiny and non-spiny sago palms from hydrophytic environment have compactly arranged parenchymatous cells with spherical air spaces confined near the epidermis. The spiny sago and the non-spiny sago palm from mesophytic environment have ground tissues that are almost filled with air spaces leaving only a thin layer of compact parenchymatous cells at the portion near the epidermis. The Agusan del Sur sample is the largest in root diameter as well as its epidermis, ground tissue and stele. There were observed differences in the shape of the mesophyll cells between spiny and non-spiny sago palms. Regardless of location and environmental condition, the mesophyll of non-spiny sago palms have both elongated and spherical cells while the mesophyll of spiny sago palms have spherically-shaped mesophyll cells