Epidermal Structure and Stomatal Ontogeny in Vegetative and Floral Organs of Martynia annua L., Pedalium murex L. and Sesamum indicum L.

Abstract

Abstract The epidermal structure, structure and ontogeny of stomata in vegetative and floral organs of Martynia annua, Pedalium murex and Sesamum indicum form the subject of the present paper. The epidermal cells are elongated, polygonal or tetragonal with sinuous, arched or straight thick anticlinal walls, arranged irregularly or in vertical rows. Glandular and eglandular trichomes, some 13 types have been observed on different organs. Filiform peltate glandular trichomes of Martynia annua secrete sugary fluid. Five types of mature stomatal apparatuses: anomocytic, anisocytic, paracytic, diacytic and with a single subsidiary cell have been noticed in the species studied. The development of these five types of stomata on different organs of the same plant is haplocheilic or perigenous. Abnormal stomata with a single guard cell, aborted guard cells, unequal guard cells, arrested developments and contiguous stomata are common. Stomata with a single subsidiary cell arise as a result of degeneration of one of the guard cells before or after pore formation. Present studies support the separation of the family Martyniaceae from the Pedaliaceae.