Leaf Epidermal Morphology of Leptodermis Wall. (Rubiaceae)

Abstract:

The leaf epidermal characters of 35 species and 8 varieties of Leptodermis Wall. (Rubiaceae) were observed under light and scanning electron microscopes. The results showed that leaf epidermal cells were either polygonal or irregular, with straight, arched, or sinuous anticlinal walls. The leaves were hypostomatic, with both of paracytic and actinocytic stomata. The trichomes distributed ad- and abxially epidermis were either simple unicellular or uniseriate multicellular. Leaf cuticular membrane was granular, reticulate, or papilliform. These characters exhibit interspecific variation among Leptodermis species and it could provide informative evidence for taxonomic and systematic analysis.

Key words:Leaf epidermal morphology;Taxonomy;Leptodermis;Rubiaceae