Abstract
This study investigated a comparative micro-morphological features of 14 species in the family Solanaceae, using trichome and stomatal complements in delimitation of species and genera within the taxon, family. The genus Solanum L. is the largest among the genera in Solanaceae. Solanum aethiopicum Linn. Solanum macrocarpon Linn. Solanum torvum Swartz. Solanum anomalum Thonn. Solanum erianthum D. Don, are covered with stellate trichomes. While Solanum nigrum Linn., Solanum lycopersicum Linn., Solanum incanum Linn., Datura spp., Schwenckia spp., Capsicum spp., Physalis spp. have simple uniseriate trichomes. S. aethiopicum Linn. S. torvum Swartz. S. lycopersicum Linn, and Physalis micrantha Linn, revealed higher trichome indices. In most species, these trichomes are not visibly observed with the naked eyes. While in some others such as in S. torvum and S. lycopersicum the trichomes are observable on the plants. Glandular hairs are also present in Solanaceae. Stomata is amphistomatic, types commonly observed are: anisocytic and anomocytic, while paracytic and tetracytic stomata are sometimes revealed in stem epidermis in Solanaceae. The usefulness of trichome and stomatal complements in species and generic taxa are recommended as pertinent characters for classification in Solanaceae and their density may vary from one ecological zone to another.Keywords: Solanaceae, Solanum, Stomata, trichomes, Complements, Comparative
Highlights
Stomata are considered to be one of the major epidermal structures within the leaf organ that have allowed higher plants to adapt to virtually all terrestrial environments on earth, this is made possible by means of adjustment of their size, density and distribution (Zarinkamar, 2006b)
Contiguous cells, glandular trichomes, anomocytic and anisocytic stomata are very common in Solanaceae
Tetracytic and paracytic stomata are observed in Solanaceae
Summary
Stomata are considered to be one of the major epidermal structures within the leaf organ that have allowed higher plants to adapt to virtually all terrestrial environments on earth, this is made possible by means of adjustment of their size, density and distribution (Zarinkamar, 2006b). Trichome and stomatal complements are necessary diagnostic characters used in identification at species and generic levels. The type of hair can be of diagnostic value at species level, sometimes at generic level, but rarely at family level (Cutler, 1977).The word ‘uniseriate’ is really an anatomical term rather than morphological and does not describe the shape. The present study is aimed at producing a more current and comprehensive taxonomic data involving the micro-morphological characters, their occurrence and distribution among members of the family Solanaceae
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