Abstract
Ocimum L. is an attractive fragrant ornamental plant with medicinal aromatic compounds. The study using digital microscopy revealed the distinct epidermal trichome morphology in five species of Ocimum including O. americanum L., O. basilicum L., O. gratissimum L., O. kilimandscharicum Gurke and O. tenuiflorum L. A distinguished variation in size, shape, type and abundance of trichomes on leaves and stem of all species are described and photographed. Both glandular and non-glandular trichomes scrutinized in all the species in which glandular type comprised capitate and peltate trichomes. On the stem, the longest glandular capitate trichome (GCT) and non-glandular trichome (NGT) were observed in O. tenuiflorum while O. basilicum possessed longest glandular peltate trichome (GPT). In case of foliar trichomes, the longest GCT observed on leaves of O. americanum; and O. basilicum showed the longest GPT and NGT. In the species, the septate or aseptate NGT possessed uni, bi or multicellular base with acute or broad apex. A distinguished variation in the number of cells in stalk and head of GT was observed in the study. Presence of silica bodies in peltate trichome of O. kilimandscharicum was noticed as the characteristic feature. Among the five species, the trichomes were abundant in O. kilimandscharicum; while O. basilicum showed sparse distribution. Trichomes with disrupted cells were also noted in O. americanum. Due to the presence of specific trichome characteristics, the efficient taxonomic key is prepared to identify the taxa at species level.
Highlights
Lamiaceae includes around 250 genera and 7000 species that well represented in tropical and temperate areas [1]
While the information on trichome morphology in different species of Ocimum is scanty; so the present study focused on scrutinization of trichome diversity among six species of Ocimum in Kerala
The present investigation focused on plant morphology and trichome analysis in five major species of Ocimum in Kerala, provides a better taxonomic key to identify the species (Table 1)
Summary
Lamiaceae includes around 250 genera and 7000 species that well represented in tropical and temperate areas [1]. The genus Ocimum L. belongs to the sub-family Napetoideae of the tribe Ocimeae that included about 65 species of herbs and shrubs [17] Plants of this genus are collectively called ‘basil’ which play as the source of essential oils and aromatic compounds [18]. 430 SANOJ & DEEPA and humid conditions, and long days and high temperature have been found to be favourable for plant growth and higher oil production [19]. It is native in Asia, Africa, South and Central America, but widely distributed around the world [17]. While the information on trichome morphology in different species of Ocimum is scanty; so the present study focused on scrutinization of trichome diversity among six species of Ocimum in Kerala
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