Leaf epidermal microstructure of the genus Scopolia Jacq. s.l. (Solanaceae-Hyoscymeae) and its systematic significance

Abstract

To examine the leaf epidermal microstructure of three genera (Scopolia s.s., Anisodus, AtroPanthe, including Przewalskia as an outgroup) in the genera Scopolia Jacq. s.l., leaves of 10 species (37 specimens) were investigated by the light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The stomata of studied taxa were 'amphistomatic type' and the size (guard cell) range was . The size of stomata is slightly differed from between the taxa; the smallest size of stomata were found in the monotypic genus, Przewalskia (), on the other hand the largest one was found in Anisodus carniolicoides (). The stomatal complex was mostly anomocytic (in Scopolia s.s., Anisodus taxa : A. luridus, A. carniolicoides, A. acutangulus) and sometimes anisocytic (in Anisodus tanguticus, Przewalskia, Atropanthe). The stomata is mostly crescent in shape, but rarely circular, especially in Przewalskia tangutica. The shapes of epidermal cells are similar in both adaxial and abaxial sides, and mostly undulate/sinuate polygonal anticlinal wall, but rarely arched in Przewalskia tangutica. The epicuticular wax was not well developed in most studied taxa, except Anisodus tanguticus which is well developed cuticular striae around the stomatal complex. The elongate-headed glandular trichomes were found in Scopolia s.s. and Przewalskia. While the taxa of Anisodus and Atropanthe have not any trichomes (i. e., glabrous), except Anisodus luridus, which has simple or sometimes branched (dendritic- type) non-glandular trichome. Finally, the systematic and ecological significance of the leaf micromorphological features (stomata complex, trichome, etc.) in identification and elucidation of Scopolia s.l. including Przewalskia, especially between or within the genera including among the species is also discussed.