The natural
predominant vegetation is a forest dominated by Q. saponaria,
Lithrea caustica (Mol.) Hook. et Arn and Peumus boldus Mol., with a
rich understory consisting of herbs and leguminous shrubs which is
currently invaded by A. dealbata. Plant material was collected under
A. dealbata’s canopy after its natural deposition in 2013; pods and
seeds in January and leaves in June. Subsequently, all plant samples
were stored in plastic bags under refrigerated conditions (∼8 ◦C)
until its use for bioassays. Seeds of L. sativa (model plant) were
purchased at the Agroflora local market and seeds of Q. saponaria
(native tree) were collected in San Carlos de Apoquindo (33◦27 S,
70◦42 W at 900 m.a.s.l) at the Mediterranean Ecological Research
Station (EDIEM, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile), located in
the foothills of the Andes. We used a model plant and a native tree
to compare morphological alterations at rhizodermis level.