Salt glands inGlycine soja L. China

A scanning electron microscope observation is carried out onGlycine soja L., which grows around the estuary of the Yellow River, in Kenli County, Shandong Province. It is first discovered that there are salt glands, in the shape of balls, on the surface of the stems and leaves ofG. soja L., and distributed at the intercellular layer. With a handle at the base, the salt glands are not equal in size, and show a layer-upon-layer structure. They have a diameter of 21.6 μm, a handle length of 1.2 μm, their secretory pore’s diameter is 5.6 μm. There are two ways to secrete salt ions: younger glands secrete salt ions through the secretory pore, and mature glands by breaking themselves.