The taxonomic consideration of leaf epidermal microstructure in Korean Thymelaeaceae Adans

Abstract

To examine the leaf epidermal microstructure, nine species in five genera (Daphne L. - 4 spp., Diarthron Turcz. - 1 sp., Edgewarthia Meisn. - 1 sp., Stellera L. - 1 sp., Wikstroemia Endl. - 2 spp.) of the Korean Thymelaeaceae were investigated by light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The stomata of stuo야ed taxa were 'hypostomatic type' and the size range of guard cell was : the smallest size of stomata was found in Diathran linifolium (), while the largest one was measured to Daphne adara (). The stomatal complex was anomocytic in the most studied taxa, except Daphne kiusiana by having combined with anisocytic together. The shapes of epidermal cells are undulate anticlinal wall. The size range of epidermal cell was ; the smallest size of epidermal cell was found in Stellera charnaejasme (), on the other hand the largest one was found in Edgeworthia chrysantha (). The well-developed flaky epicuticular waxes can be divided three kinds of pattern - (1) smooth in comparison, not entire platelets and scattered, (2) isolated flake-like platelets, mostly paralleled, sparsely, (3) flake-like platelets, flat, membraneous, protruding from the surfaces at varying angles and densely. Two types of trichome are recognized; (1) Type I: uniseriate trichome of striate surface (D. genkwa, Diarthron linifalium, E. chrysantha, W. ganpi and W. trichotama), (2) Type II: multicellular trichome of papillose surface, uncinated 3-4 nodes (Diathron linifolium). Finally, the systematics significance of the leaf micromorphological features in identification and elucidation of Korean Thymelaeaceae, especially between or within the genera including among the species is also briefly discussed.