Abstract
A comparative study of the leaf micromorphology of Korean Piperales, including medicinal materials, was performed through light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, to evaluate their taxonomic significance. Piperales possessed both amphistomatic and hypostomatic leaves. The epidermal area ranged from 38 to 5077 μm2, and the stomatal area ranged from 201 to 2129 μm2. The stomatal index on the abaxial surface was higher than that on the abaxial surface. Anomocytic stomata occurred most commonly, but actinocytic, anisocytic, tetracytic, and staurocytic stomata were also found in certain taxa. Secretory idioblasts were found on all taxa studied except Aristolochia. Three main types of trichomes were defined—(1) glandular trichome; (2) simple multicellular trichome; and (3) two-armed multicellular Y-shaped trichome. Although the quantitative data on its own had somewhat limited taxonomic value, the various qualitative characteristics (e.g., epidermal surfaces, stomata types and positions, trichome types and density, and secretory idioblast types) had great taxonomic value. These characteristics might be taxonomically relevant and useful for developing an identification key. Additionally, we evaluated and supported the previous taxonomic system of Korean Asarum, using leaf micromorphological characteristics. Finally, through the application for authentication of herbal medicine, we revealed that leaf micromorphological characteristics can be used for accurate authentication.
Highlights
Various leaf characteristics have been widely used as diagnostic characteristics [1]
Straight anticlinal walls (ACW) were found on both surfaces in Aristolochia manshuriensis (Figure 1A), Piper kadsura (Figures 1K and 2K and Saururus chinensis (Figures 1L and 2L)
We evaluated that the trichome types and their surface patterns are useful for the delimitation and identification among taxa included in the present study
Summary
Various leaf characteristics have been widely used as diagnostic characteristics [1]. Previous works have shown that leaf micromorphological (cuticular, epidermal) characteristics are more taxonomically useful than gross or external morphology [1,2]. Leaf micromorphology using microscopic analysis has been used to facilitate accurate authentication and quality control of medicinal plants [16,17,18,19,20,21]. Leaf micromorphological characteristics are commonly used in the identification and authentication of plants, no comprehensive studies have investigated the leaf micromorphology of the order Piperales, which contains many important medicinal herbs. This order comprises more than 4300 species and is the most diverse within the magnoliids, from a morphological point of view (including growth forms) [23].
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.