The features of the anatomical structure of stem-succulent plants of 23 species of the genus Euphorbia L. are studied. It has been found that the studied plants are characterized by considerable diversity in their anatomical structure. Based on our results, six principal groups were identified according to the presence or absence as well as the degree of development of various tissues, showing different directions of adaptations to the growth conditions. According to the degree of succulence, ratio of square to volume and water content, one of the groups is divided into two subgroups associated with climate changes in natural habitats during the evolutionary formation of these plant species. This division in many characteristics conforms with most of morphological, anatomical and ecological features of the plants and, therefore, can serve as a major criterion for determination of the strategy in structural adaptations of succulent plants of the genus Euphorbia.

Keywords: anatomy, adaptations, succulence, Euphorbia, arid territories

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