Justicia gendarussa (BURM F.) (WILLOW-LEAVED Justicia) FROM PENINSULAR MALAYSIA: LEAF ANATOMY AND MICROMORPHOLOGY

Abstract

Acanthaceae or the Acanthus family has been commonly used by local peoples as traditional medicines, especially in PeninsularMalaysia. Justicia gendarussa, also known as ‘daun rusa’ or ‘genda rusa,’ treats inflammatory disorders, asthma, hepatic injuries,arthritis, and digestion problems. Many taxonomists nowadays struggle to identify Acanthaceae species due to morphologicalsimilarities and incomplete parts during the identification process. Other than that, there has been no comprehensive study ofJusticia gendarussa leaf anatomy to date. Therefore, this study aims to describe the leaf’s anatomical and micromorphologicalcharacteristics that would be useful to identify this plant species. The leaf anatomical study involved several methods such ascross-section using a sliding microtome and observation under a light microscope. While the leaf micromorphology methodinvolved the observation under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) of the epidermis of abaxial and adaxial surfaces. Theresult of this study showed the presence of collenchyma, sclerenchyma, and mucilage cells in the petiole and midrib. The patternsof petiole and midrib vascular bundles were described as the main vascular bundle (opened system with continuous rings of thevascular bundle) with two additional vascular bundles located the above right and left of the main vascular bundle near eachwing. The cystolith cells are present in the epidermis and parenchyma cortex while glandular and non-glandular trichomeswere recorded in the species studied. In conclusion, comprehensive data for the leaf anatomical and micromorphologicalcharacteristics can be used to supplement data in the identification of Justicia gendarussa.