Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Definition and Classification of Halophytes as an Ecological Group of Plants

  • Living reference work entry
  • First Online:
Handbook of Halophytes

Abstract

The definition of halophytes is manifold. The concept evolved from the broader ecological definition of halophytes to specialize physiological and biochemical definitions; they are often arbitrarily based on numerical values of salinity thresholds. Classifications of halophytes are mainly focused on the affinity of plants for salts, for instance, their “obligatory” requirement for high salinity, in the case of euhalophytes (obligatory halophytes). Definitions of halophytes and their classification in an ecological frame are very important for establishing a correlation between halophytes and xerophytes, through the concept of physiological drought.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adam, P. (1990). Saltmarsh ecology. Cambridge/New York/Port Chester/Melbourne/Sydney: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrews, E. F., & Lloyd, F. E. (1911). A practical course in botany. New York/Cincinnati/Chicago: American Book Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, S. F. (1917). British grasses and their employment in agriculture. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aronson, J., & Le Floc’h, E. (1996). Restoration ecology of salt-affected, arid and semi-arid lands. In R. Choukr-Allah, C. V. Malcolm, & A. Hamdy (Eds.), Halophytes and biosaline agriculture (pp. 55–72). New York: Marcel Dekker.

    Google Scholar 

  • Atkinson, G. F. (1900). Lessons in botany. New York: Henry Holt and Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Backer, C. A. (1888). The problem of Krakatoa as seen by a botanist. Dordrecht: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailey, L. H., & Coleman, W. M. (1925). High school biology. Toronto: The Macmillan Company of Canada Limited.

    Google Scholar 

  • Balfour, J. H. (1851). A manual of botany. London: John Joseph Griffin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barbour, M. G. (1970). Is any angiosperm an obligate halophyte? The American Midland Naturalist, 84(1), 105–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ben Hamed, K., Messedi, D., Ranieri, A., & Abdely, C. (2008). Diversity in the response of two potential halophytes (Batis maritima and Crithmum maritimum) to salt stress. In C. Abdelly, M. Öztürk, M. Ashraf, & C. Grignon (Eds.), Biosaline agriculture and high salinity tolerance (pp. 71–80). Basel/Boston/Berlin: Birkhäuser Verlag AG.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergen, J. Y. (1904). Foundations of botany. Boston: Ginn & Company, Athenaeum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergen, J. Y., & Caldwell, O. W. (1911). Practical botany. Boston/New York/Chicago/London/Atlanta/Dallas/Columbus/San Francisco: Ginn and Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergen, J. Y., & Davis, M. (1906). Principles of botany. Boston/New York/Chicago/London: Ginn & Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bevis, B. A., & Jeffery, H. J. (1911). British plants. In Their biology and ecology. London: Alston Rivers, Ltd., Brooke Street, Holborn Bars, E.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Breckle, S.-W. (1995). How do halophytes overcome salinity? In M. A. Khan & I. A. Ungar (Eds.), Biology of salt tolerant plants (pp. 199–213). Karachi: Department of Botany, University of Karachi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bucur, N., Dobrescu, C., Gg, T., Gh, L., Teşu, C., Dumbravă, I., & Afusoaie, D. (1957). Contribuţii la studiul halofiliei plantelor din păşuni şi fâneţe de sărătură din Depresiunea Jijia-Bahlui (partea a I-a). Stud şi Cerc (Biol şi Şt Agric) Acad R.P.R. filiala Iaşi, 8(2), 277–317.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bucur, N., Dobrescu, C., Gh, T., Gh, L., & Teşu, C. (1960). Contribuţii la studiul halofiliei plantelor din păşuni şi fâneţe de sărătură din Depresiunea Jijia-Bahlui (partea a II-a). Stud şi Cerc (Biol şi Şt Agr), Acad R.P. R. filiala Iaşi, 11)2, 333–347.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bucur, N., Dobrescu, C., Gh, T., Lixandru, G., & Teşu, C. (1961). Contribuţii la studiul halofiliei plantelor din păşuni şi fâneţe de sărătură din Depresiunea Jijia-Bahlui (partea a III-a). Stud şi Cerc (Biol şi Şt Agr), Acad. R.P.R. filiala Iaşi, 12(1), 169–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, D. H. (1911). Plant life and evolution. New York: Henry Holt and Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Casu, A. (1905). Contribuzzione allo studio della flora delle saline di Cagliari. Annali di Botanica, 2, 403–433.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, V. J. (1942). The new perspective in the halophytes. The Quarterly Review of Biology, 17, 291–311.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, V. J. (1975). The salinity problem in general, its importance, and distribution with special reference to natural halophytes. In A. Poljakoff-Mayber & J. Gale (Eds.), Plants in saline environments (pp. 7–24). Berlin/Heidelberg/New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheeseman, J. M. (2015). The evolution of halophytes, glycophytes and crops, and its implications for food security under saline conditions. New Phytologist, 206(2), 557–570.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chermezon, H. (1910). Recherches anatomiques sur les plantes littorales. Ann Sci Nat sér 9 Bot, 12, 117–313.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clements, F. E. (1905). Research methods in ecology. Lincoln/Nebraska: The University Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clements, F. E. (1907). Plant physiology and ecology. New York: Henry Holt and Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Contejean, C. (1874). De l’influence du terrain sur la vegetation. Ann des Sci Nat 5-ème sér Botanique, 20, 266–304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Contejean, C. (1881). Géographie botanique. Influence du terrain sur la végétation. Paris: Librairie J.-B. Baillière et Fils.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook, M. T. (1919). Applied economic botany based upon actual agricultural and gardening projects. Philadelphia/London: J. B. Lippincott Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coulter, J. M. (1900). Plant relations. A first book of botany. New York: D. Appleton and Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Day, W. B. (1920). A revision of Bastin’s College botany (1st ed.). Chicago: G.P. Engelhard & Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duarte, B., Matos A. R., Marques J. C., Caçador I. (2019). Lipids in halophytes: stress physiology relevance and potential future application. In: M. Hasanuzzaman, S. Shabala, & M. Fujita (Eds.), Halophytes and climate change: Adaptive mechanisms and potential uses (pp. 359–372). CABI.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duncan, W. H. (1974). Vascular halophytes of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North America north of Mexico. In R. J. Reimold & W. H. Queen (Eds.), Ecology of halophytes (pp. 23–49). New York/London: Academic.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farmer, J. B. (1911). The book of natures study (Vol. 5). London: The Caxton Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fitch, W. H., & Smith, W. G. (1880). Illustrations of the British flora: a series of wood engravings, with dissections of British plants. London: L. Reeve & Co., 5, Henrietta street, Covent Garden.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flowers, T. J., & Colmer, T. D. (2008). Salinity tolerance in halophytes. The New Phytologist, 179, 945–963.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Flowers, T. J., Troke, P. F., & Yeo, A. R. (1977). The mechanism of salt tolerance in halophytes. Annual Review of Plant Physiology, 28, 89–121.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Flowers, T. J., Hajibagheri, M. A., & Clipson, N. J. W. (1986). Halophytes. The Quarterly Review of Biology, 61, 313–337.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frey, R. W., & Basan, P. B. (1985). Coastal salt marshes. In R. A. Davis (Ed.), Coastal sedimentary environments (2nd ed., pp. 225–301). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodwin, R. H., & Niering, W. A. (1975). Inland wetlands of United States. Evaluated as potential registered natural landmarks. New London: Connecticut College.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grew, N. (1676/1682). An essay of the various proportions wherein the lixivial salt is found in plants. Lecture III. Read before the Royal Society, March, 1676. London: Printed by W Rawlins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grigore, M.-N. (2008a). Introducere în Halofitologie. Elemente de Anatomie integrativă. Iaşi: Ed. PIM.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grigore, M.-N. (2008b). Halofitotaxonomia. Lista plantelor de sărătură din România. Iaşi: Ed. PIM.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grigore, M.-N. (2012). Romanian salt tolerant plants. Taxonomy and ecology. Iaşi: Edit. Tehnopress.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grigore M-N. Nicolae Bucur’s contribution to create an original system of halophytes classification. An example of holistic ecological vision. Lucr Şt (Horticultură) USAMV “Ion Ionescu de la Brad”, Iaşi 2013;56(1):19–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grigore, M.-N. (2019). Defining halophytes – A conceptual and historical approach in an ecological frame. In M. Hasanuzzaman, S. Shabala, & M. Fujita (Eds.), Halophytes and climate change: Adaptive mechanisms and potential uses (pp. 3–18). Wallingford: CABI.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grigore, M.-N., & Toma, C. (2010a). Halofitele. Aspecte de anatomie ecologică. Iaşi: Edit. Univ. “Al. I. Cuza”.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grigore, M.-N., & Toma, C. (2010b). A proposal for a new halophytes classification, based on integrative anatomy observations. Muz. Olteniei Craiova. Studii și Comunicări, Științele Naturii, 26(1), 45–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grigore, M.-N., & Toma, C. (2011). Halofitele, o categorie ecologică polimorfă. Între seceta fiziologică a solului și stresul salin. Revista Botanica (Chișinău), 2(3), 38–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grigore, M.-N., & Toma, C. (2014). Integrative ecological notes on halophytes from “Valea Ilenei” (Iaşi) nature reserve. Memoirs of the Scientific Sections of the Romanian Academy, 37, 19–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grigore, M.-N., & Toma, C. (2017). Anatomical adaptations of halophytes. A review of classic literature and recent findings. Cham: Springer International Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grigore, M.-N., Toma, C., & Boscaiu, M. (2010). Dealing with halophytes: An old problem, the same continuous exciting challenge. An Şt Univ “Al. I. Cuza” Iaşi, s. II.a (Biol Veget), 56(1), 21–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grigore, M.-N., Villanueva, M., Boscaiu, M., & Vicente, O. (2012). Do halophytes really require salt for their growth and development? An experimental approach. Notulae Scientia Biologicae, 4(2), 23–29.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grigore, M.-N., Ivănescu, L., & Halophytes, T. C. (2014). An integrative anatomical study. Cham/Heidelberg/New York/Dordrecht/London: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall, A. D. (1912). The soil. An introduction to the scientific study of the growth of crops. London: John Murray.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harshberger, J. W. (1909–1910). The vegetation of the salt marshes and of the salt and fresh-water ponds of Northern Coastal New Jersey. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Science of Philadelphia, 61, 373–400.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedenberg, A. (1788). Stationes plantarum. Thesis no 54, Upsalia, 1754. In Amoenitates Academicae (Vol. IV, pp. 64–87). Palm: editio secunda, Erlangae sumtu IO. Iacobi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henslow, G. (1895). The origin of plant-structures by self-adaptation to the environment. London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co/Paternoster House/Charing Cross Road.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hole, R. S. (1909). A manual of botany for Indian forest students. Calcutta: Superintendent Government Printing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Horwood, A. R. (1915). The story of plant life in the British Isles (Vol. 3). London: J. & A. Churchill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunter, G. W. (1907). Elements of biology. New York/Cincinnati/Chicago: American Book Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • John, H. S. (1922). A botanical exploration of the north shore of the gulf of St. Lawrence including an annotated list of the species of vascular plants. Ottawa: F. A. Acland, Printer to his most Excellent Majesty.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kearney, T. H. (1904). Are plants of sea and dunes true halophytes? Botanical Gazette, 37, 424–436.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khan, M. A., & Duke, N. C. (2001). Halophytes – A resource for the future. Wetland Ecology and Management, 6, 455–456.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kovda, V. A. (1939). Solurile U.R.S.S., Vol. 1, Partea Europeană a U.R.S.S. Moscova-Leningrad.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kovda, V. A. (1973). Osnovî ucenia a pocivali, kniga pervaia i vtaraia. Moskva: Izd. Nauka.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koyro, H.-W., & Lieth, H. (1998). Salinity conversion table (2nd enlarged ed.). Osnabrück: Lieth H.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koyro, H.-W., Geissler, N., & Hussin, S. (2009). Survival at extreme locations: Life strategies of halophytes. In M. Ashraf, M. Ozturk, & H. R. Athar (Eds.), Salinity and water stress. Improving crop efficiency (pp. 167–177). Dordrecht: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laing, R. M., & Blackwell, E. W. (1907). Plants of New Zealand, second and revised edition. Christchurch/Wellington/Dunedin/Melbourne/London: Whitcombe and Tombs Limited.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lambers, H., Chapin, S. F., III, & Pons, T. L. (2008). Plant physiological ecology (2nd ed.). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leavitt, R. G. (1901). Outlines of botany. Copyright, 1901, by the President and fellows of Harvard College. London: Entered at Stationers’ Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Măianu, A., Aksenova, I., & Albescu, I. (1965). Toleranța la salinitate a principalelor plante agricole pe soluri freatic-umede cu salinizare clorurică. An Sect de Pedol ICCA, 33, 357–373.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marilaun, v. A. K. (1894). The natural history of plants (Vol. 1). London: Blackie& Son. 50 Old Bailey, E.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marschner, P. (2012). Marschner’s mineral nutrition of higher plants (3rd ed.). Amsterdam/Boston/Heidelberg/London/New York/Oxford/Paris/San Diego/San Francisco/Singapore/Sydney/Tokyo: Academic.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohr, C. (1901). Plant life of Alabama (Alabama edition). Montgomery: Bound and Published by the Brown Printing Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Müller, E. G. O., & Pax, F. (1894). Cucurbitaceae. In A. Engler & K. Prantl (Eds.), Die natürlichen pflanzenfamilien, IV(5) (pp. 1–39). Leipzig: Verlag von Wilhelm Engelmann.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olsson-Seffer, P. (1909). Relation of soil and vegetation on sandy sea shores. Botanical Gazette, 47, 85–126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ornduff, R. (1974). Introduction to California plant life. Berkeley: University of California Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poiret, J. L. M. (1820). Géographie botanique. In F. G. Levrault (Ed.), Dictionnaire des sciences naturelles, t.18 (pp. 359–439). Strasbourg/Paris: Le Nurmant.

    Google Scholar 

  • Poljakoff-Mayber, A., & Gale, J. (1975). Plants in saline environments. Berlin/Heidelberg/New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pound, R., & Clements, F. E. (1900). Phytogeography of Nebraska. 1. General survey (2nd ed.). Lincoln: Published by the Seminar.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prodan, I. (1922). Oecologia plantelor halofile din România, comparate cu cele din Ungaria și Șesul Tisei din regatul SHS. Bul Inf Grăd Bot și Muz Bot din Cluj, II(1), 1–17; II(2), 37–52; II(3), 69–84; II(4), 101–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prodan, I. (1939). Flora pentru detrminarea şi descrierea plantelor ce cresc în România, II, (ediţia a II-a). Cluj: Tipografia Cartea Românească.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quinn, J. A. (2009). Desert biomes. In S. L. Woodward (Ed.), Green wood guides to biomes of the world. Westport/London: Greenwood Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ranwell, D. S. (1972). Ecology of salt marshes and sand dunes. London: Chapman and Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rendle, A. B. (1925). The classification of flowering plants, Vol. 2: Dicotyledons. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richards, L. A. (1954). Diagnosis and improvement of saline and alkali soils. Handbook no. 60. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, J. F. (1902). The flora of the east riding of Yorkshire, including a physiographical sketch. London: A. Brown & Sons/Hull and York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandu, G., Vlas, I., & Mladin, M. (1983). Salinitatea solurilor și cultura plantelor. București: Ceres.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schimper, A. F. W. (1903). Plant geography upon a physiological basis. Oxford: Clarendon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulze, E.-D., Beck, E., & Müller-Hohenstein, K. (2005). Plant ecology. Berlin/Heidelberg: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sennikov, A. P. (1950). Ecologhia rastenij. Izdat. Moskva: Sovetskaia Nauka, (Plant Ecology).

    Google Scholar 

  • Şerbănescu, I. (1965). Asociaţiile halofite din Câmpia Română. Com Geol ale Instit Geol St Tehn şi Econ seria C Pedologie Bucureşti, 15, 1–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma, S. K., & Gupta, I. C. (1986). Saline environment and plant growth. Bikaner: AgroBotanical Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sorauer, P. (1895). A popular treatise on the physiology of plants for the use of gardeners. London: Longmans, Green.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stevens, W. C. (1908). Introduction to botany. Boston: D.C. Heath.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stocker, O. (1928). Das Halophytenproblem. Ergebnisse der Biologie, 3, 265–353.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stomps, T. J. (1915). Dunes of Lake Michigan. The Plant World, 18, 2015–2216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ţopa, E. (1939). Flora halofitelor din Nordul României în legătură cu cea din restul țării. Teză prezentată la Facultatea de Științe din Cernăuți.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ţopa, E. (1954). Vegetaţia terenurilor sărate din R.P.R. Natura, 6(1), 57–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Townsend, C. W. (1925). Sand dunes and salt marshes. Boston: L.C. Page.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ungar, I. A. (1991). Ecophysiology of vascular halophytes. Boca Raton: CRC Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Eijk, M. (1939). Analyse der Wirkung des NaCl auf die Entwicklung Sukkulenze und Transpiration bei Salicornia herbacea, sowie Untersuchungen über den Einfluss der Salzaufnahme auf die Wurzelatmung bei Aster tripolium. Recueil des Travaux Botaniques Neerlandais, 36, 559–657.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waisel, Y. (1972). Biology of halophytes. New York/London: Academic.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ward, H. M. (1901). Grasses. A handbook for use in the field and laboratory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warming, E. (1895). Plantesamfund. Grundtræk af den økologiske plantegeografi. Kjøbenhavn: P. G. Philipsens Forlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warming, E. (1897). Halofyt-studier. D Kgl Danske Vidensk Selsk. Skr, 6, Raekke, naturvidenskabeling og mathematisk Afd. VIII 4:173–272.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warming, E. (1909). Ecology of plants. An introduction to the study of plant communities (English edition prepared by P. Groom, I.B. Balfour). Oxford: Clarendon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weatherby, C. A., & Adams, J. (1945). A list of the vascular plants of Grand Manan (Vol. 158, pp. 3–85). Charlotte County/New Brunswick: Contributions from the Gray Herbarium of Harvard University; 87–96.

    Google Scholar 

  • Widtsoe, J. A., & Stewart, G. (1918). Western agriculture. Minnesota/St. Paul: Webb Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodhead, T. W. (1915). The study of plants. An introduction to botany and plant ecology. Oxford: Clarendon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yensen, N. P., & Biel, K. Y. (2006). Soil remediation via salt-conduction and the hypotheses of halosynthesis and photo protection. In M. A. Khan & D. J. Weber (Eds.), Ecophysiology of high salinity tolerant plants (pp. 313–344). Dordrecht: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Youngken, H. W. (1918). A college textbook of pharmaceutical botany. Philadelphia: P. Blakiston’s Son and Co., Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Youngken, H. W. (1921). Pharmaceutical botany (3rd ed.). Philadelphia: P. Blakiston’s Son & Co.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași, Iași, Romania

    Marius-Nicușor Grigore

Authors
  1. Marius-Nicușor Grigore
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marius-Nicușor Grigore .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Iasi, Romania

    Marius-Nicusor Grigore

Section Editor information

  1. Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași, Iasi, Romania

    Marius-Nicusor Grigore

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Grigore, MN. (2020). Definition and Classification of Halophytes as an Ecological Group of Plants. In: Grigore, MN. (eds) Handbook of Halophytes. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-17854-3_1-1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-17854-3_1-1

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-17854-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-17854-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Biomedicine and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation