Anticlinal Walls Research Articles

LEAF ANATOMY AND MICROMORPHOLOGY OF SELECTED EUPHORBIACEAE SPECIES IN KUANTAN, PAHANG, MALAYSIA

Leaf anatomy and micromorphology study was carried out on three selected taxa in Euphorbiaceae. The three chosen taxa were Jatropha curcas Linn., Euphorbia milii Des Moul. and Euphorbia hirta Linn. The methods involved procedures such as sectioning using sliding microtome, epidermal peeling and leaf micromorphology method using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The aim of this study is to identify the common, variation and diagnostic characteristics of leaf anatomy and micromorphology of selected species collected from Kuantan area which can give additional information for identification and classification of species. Findings in this study have shown that there were two common characters present in all the species studied which include the presence of mucilage cells and cuticular sculpturing of abaxial and adaxial epidermis. Meanwhile, several variable characters have been recorded in this study which can be useful in species differentiation such as vascular bundles arrangement in the midrib, pattern of anticlinal wall, types of stomata, waxes and trichomes. The diagnostic characteristics identified in this study are sinuous anticlinal wall pattern and anomocytic type of stomata that can only be found in E.hirta while crust of wax type and absence of trichomes can only be found in E.milii. The study reveals that leaf anatomy and micromorphology characteristics have taxonomic values and can be used as an additional data for identification and classification of species in Euphorbiaceae.

Leaf Anatomy and Micromorphology Characteristics of Ketum [Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) Havil.] (Rubiaceae).

Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) Havil. or locally known as ketum/daun sebiak/biak-biak belongs to Rubiaceae family and generally occurs in secondary forest or disturbed areas in tropical and subtropical region. This research enumerated the characterisation of Mitragyna speciosa leaf anatomy and micromorphology features which is still not well documented. This medium to large sized tree species characterised with opposite arrangement, ovate-acuminate leaf and with 12–17 pairs of veins. Transverse sections of petioles showed that this species has petiole outlines with slightly convex at the middle of the adaxial part and ‘U’-shaped on abaxial side. Results also showed that this species has paracytic and hypostomatic stomata, combination of non-glandular (majority) and glandular trichomes (minority), with observation on the secretory cells present in petiole and midrib parenchyma cells. Cuticle on the abaxial and adaxial epidermal surfaces showed the presence granule and wax films with periclinal and anticlinal walls can be differentiated clearly. The results obtained in this study can be used to providing additional systematics information of Mitragyna speciosa with the documentation of the leaf anatomy and micromorphology characters.

Scanning electron microscopy of Sophora alopecuroides L. seeds and their cytotoxic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and enzyme inhibition potentials.

Sophora alopecuroides L. is a highly medicinal plant. The aim of the current study was to determine the phytochemical screening, pharmacological potentials and application of scanning electron microscope (SEM) of S. alopecuroides (SA) seeds. To achieve this purpose, six different solvents were used to prepare SA seed extracts. Phytochemical and antioxidant activities were determined calorimetrically. To investigate the antidiabetic activity, α-amylase inhibition assay was determined. Brine shrimp assay was used to determine cytotoxicity potential. Anti-leishmanial potential was confirmed using MTT assay. Disc-diffusion method was used to detect protein kinase inhibitory, antibacterial and antifungal activities and showed significant results. SEM analysis was used as an identification tool. Considerable amount of phenolic and flavonoid contents were identified in methanol extract (SASM) (93.76 ± 2.71 GAE/mg) and (77 ± 3.60 QE/mg). Highest DPPH scavenging potential (82%) was reported for SASM. Significant total antioxidant capacity (90.60 ± 1.55 alpha amylase enzyme [AAE]/mg) and total reducing power (94.44 ± 1.38 AAE/mg) were determined for LOSM. Highest α-amylase inhibition was reported in SASM (78.20 ± 1.58%). Highest LD50 of brine shrimp was found for n-hexane extract (SASH) 13.03 μg/ml. All extracts showed strong anti-leishmanial activity except SASH. The seeds of SA were seen to be oblong to obovate, projections, wavy slightly straight, anticlinal wall was raised with apex acuminate. In conclusion, our experimental findings highly support the ethnomedicinal and biological potentials of the SA seeds. Moreover, SA seeds need to be explored for identification and isolation of bioactive compounds. In future, we recommend further in vivo toxicity assays and clinical efficacies to further evaluate its different biomedical properties.

Visualization of Three Sclerotiniaceae Species Pathogenic on Onion Reveals Distinct Biology and Infection Strategies.

Botrytis squamosa, Botrytis aclada, and Sclerotium cepivorum are three fungal species of the family Sclerotiniaceae that are pathogenic on onion. Despite their close relatedness, these fungi cause very distinct diseases, respectively called leaf blight, neck rot, and white rot, which pose serious threats to onion cultivation. The infection biology of neck rot and white rot in particular is poorly understood. In this study, we used GFP-expressing transformants of all three fungi to visualize the early phases of infection. B. squamosa entered onion leaves by growing either through stomata or into anticlinal walls of onion epidermal cells. B. aclada, known to cause post-harvest rot and spoilage of onion bulbs, did not penetrate the leaf surface but instead formed superficial colonies which produced new conidia. S. cepivorum entered onion roots via infection cushions and appressorium-like structures. In the non-host tomato, S. cepivorum also produced appressorium-like structures and infection cushions, but upon prolonged contact with the non-host the infection structures died. With this study, we have gained understanding in the infection biology and strategy of each of these onion pathogens. Moreover, by comparing the infection mechanisms we were able to increase insight into how these closely related fungi can cause such different diseases.

Antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antioxidants, enzyme inhibition activities, and scanning electron microscopy of Lactuca orientalis (Boiss.) Boiss. seeds.

Lactuca orientalis (Boiss.) Boiss. is one of the most frequently used ethnomedicinal plant. This research study was designed to decipher the phytochemical screening, pharmacological potential and implementation of scanning electron microscope (SEM). Six different solvents were used to prepare L. orientalis (LO) seed extracts. Phytochemical and antioxidant activities were determined calorimetrically. To investigate antidiabetic, α-amylase inhibition assay was performed. Brine shrimp assay was performed for cytotoxicity and anti-leishmanial via MTT assay. Disc-diffusion assay was performed to detect protein kinase inhibitory, antibacterial and antifungal activities. SEM was used as identification tool. Significant amount of phenolic and flavonoid content were identified in methanol extract (LOSM) (95.76 ± 3.71 GAE/mg) and (77 ± 3.60 QE/mg). Highest DPPH scavenging potential (82%) was reported for LOSM. Significant total antioxidant capacity (90.60 ± 1.55 AAE/mg) and total reducing power (94.44 ± 1.38 AAE/mg) were determined for LOSM. Highest α-amylase inhibition was found in LOSM (78.20 ± 1.58%). The highest LD50 of brine shrimp was found for n-Hexane extract (LOSH) 13.03 𝜇g/ml. All extracts showed strong anti-leishmanial activity except LOSH. L. orientalis seeds showed significant protein kinase inhibition, antibacterial and antifungal activities. The seeds of L. orientalis were seen to be oblong to obovate, projections, wavy slightly straight, anticlinal wall was raised with apex acuminate. The outer-periclinal wall convex with fine texture. In conclusion, our findings scientifically support ethnomedicinal and biological potentials of L. orientalis seeds. In future, L. orientalis seeds need to be explored for identification and isolation of bioactive compounds. The results obtained necessitate further in vivo studies to evaluate their pharmacological potentials.

Diversification of yellow-flowered Sempervivum (crassulaceae) species from the Balkan Peninsula: Evidence from the morphometric study of the epidermal structures of rosette leaves

Several related yellow-flowered houseleek species which occur on the Balkan Peninsula are divided into two complexes: Sempervivum ciliosum (S. ciliosum, S. jakucsii, S. klepa, S. octopodes, and S. galicicum) and the S. ruthenicum complex (S. ruthenicum, S. leucanthum, S. kindingeri, and S. zeleborii). Due to strong phenotypic plasticity and a limited number of studies, it is difficult to assert at this point whether all the above species are well defined in the taxonomic sense. Detailed studies of the epidermal structures have not been conducted for any of the species in either complex. The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of variability of the epidermal structures together with their potential usefulness for the taxonomic characterization of the species studied. A total of 18 quantitative characters of the epidermal structures of the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of the rosette leaves were analysed within 16 populations. In all species, the epidermal cells are polygonal or irregularly shaped, with straight or sinuous anticlinal walls, while the rosette leaves are amphistomatic with anisocytic stomata. Simple biseriate multicellular glandular trichomes were found on the adaxial and abaxial surfaces and the margins of the rosette leaves. The results of the descriptive statistics, univariate (ANOVA) and multivariate statistical analysis (CDA, AHC) showed low to high variability in the epidermal cells, guard cells and trichomes. The multivariate analysis showed diversification among the complexes and species. The length of the marginal and apical trichomes of the rosette leaves contributed most to diversification.

Anatomical traits of Artemisia umbelliformis subsp. eriantha (asteraceae) alpine glacial relict from Mt. Durmitor (Montenegro)

In this study, the vegetative anatomy of Artemisia umbelliformis subsp. eriantha, a Central European alpine glacial relict, wild-growing on Mt. Durmitor (Montenegro) was examined for the first time. The aim was to investigate the general anatomy and particular anatomical traits which might have possible taxonomic value. Microscopic slides were prepared according to the standard histological procedures. The adventitious young root showed a primary structure, while the older root showed a secondary structure with a well-developed periderm on its surface. The rhizome showed a primary structure with elements of a secondary structure (periderm). The stem cross section is characterized by a round shape with a well-developed periderm at certain stages, and collateral vascular bundles arranged in a circle. The petiole is concave in shape with a single-layered epidermis and parenchyma tissue with one large and two small vascular bundles. Druses and rhombohedral crystals are observed inside some petiole parenchyma cells. The leaf lobe cross section has an oblong-linear shape and is isolateral and amphistomatous in structure. The anticlinal walls of the leaf epidermal cells are sinuate. Secretory canals are present in the root cortex parenchyma (endodermal secretory canals) and the rhizome cortical parenchyma. The stem, petiole and leaf lack secretory canals. The stem and leaf are covered with T-shaped non-glandular and glandular trichomes. The taxonomic value of the analyzed characteristics is briefly discussed.

Seed morphology: An addition to the taxonomy of Astragaleae and Trifolieae (Leguminosae: Papilionoidae) from Pakistan.

Seed morphology was described in detail for 12 species belonging to 5 genera of tribes Astragaleae and Trifolieae (Leguminosae; Papilionoideae) using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate the taxonomic relevance of macromorphological and micromorphological seed characters. The study aims to search for diagnostic seed ultrastructural features that may help to elucidate species identification. For SEM analysis, seed morphological characters including seed form and shape, color and size, ornamentation, epidermal cell shape, and anticlinal wall pattern were investigated. As a result of the study, species-specific characters have been determined. Based on seed exomorphology, three characteristic cell patterns; irregular, round, and flat were observed. In majority of studied taxa, species may be further differentiated based on seed shape, size, and surface ornamentation. The inconsistency in testa cell pattern, shape, and distribution of papillae or protuberances may probably give further insight and significant morphological features at specific and generic level within the tribe. This study illustrated that considerable taxonomic knowledge can be obtained by examining the seed characters of Astragaleae and Trifolieae, particularly at the species level. The results demonstrated that the use of SEM in seed morphology could play a role in the identification of taxa particularly at genus and species level. Twelve species of Astragaleae and Trifolieae were studied in order to describe and investigate the seed morphology and to evaluate the diagnostic value of this character using a SEM. A broader taxon sampling is required for classification at generic and tribal level, besides molecular and phylogenetic studies.

Seed morphology and testa ultrastructure in Alliumstipitatum complex (Amaryllidaceae; Allioideae) and their systematic significance

Characteristic features of seed and testa cells in 13 species of Allium, representing its five recognized sections, Compactoprason, Megaloprason, Procerallium, Decipientia and Pseudoprason were studied using both stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope. The identified characters, such as seed shape, alignment and shape of testa cells, features of outer cell walls, verruca type, density of verrucae and granules, seed size as well as cell wall undulations were evaluated statistically. The our findings indicated the significance level of P ? 0.01 for examined characters using the Kruskal-Wallis and ANOVA analyses.Two principal components of factor analysis revealed the following traits to be most important in distinguishing taxa at various taxonomic ranks within the complex (sections, subsections and species), based on 50.94% of total variance and a correlation coefficient of 0.93: shape and sculpturing of periclinal walls, undulation details of anticlinal walls, verruca type, testa cell alignment, and size of seed and testa cells. The general pattern of testa shared by all taxa of studied complex included convex periclinal walls with verrucate surface and undulated anticlinal walls from S- to U-like, but some taxa differed from each other in the details of testa sculpturing. Exceptionally, the monotypic section, Decipientia revealed adifferent pattern, showing smooth seed surface composed of polygonal testa cells with tightarrangement, flat periclinal surfacebearingsulcate verrucae, and straight anticlinal walls.

Seed morphology and post‐seminal development in Leiothrix Ruhland (Eriocaulaceae, Poales)

The genus Leiothrix (Eriocaulaceae) is restricted to South America, where most species occur in the Espinhaço mountain chain in Brazil. Seed ornamentation has a distinctive origin in the family and in most species of Leiothrix the seed coat has a striated pattern. The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphological aspects of seeds of Leiothrix as well as the post‐seminal development. Leiothrix seeds are elliptical or oval, the seed coat has a primary sculpture of isodiametric or hexagonal cells with concave periclinal walls and straight or sinuose anticlinal walls. Most species also have a secondary sculpture, which forms the striate ornamentation and this may be continuous or discontinuous with isolated, connected or cruciform annular striae. A comparative table of seed characters shows that most of them corroborate the current circumscription of the subgenera of Leiothrix. The seed coat striae expand with wetting and may help in seed imbibition during germination. Leiothrix seeds show a high germination rate and the post‐seminal development pattern is similar to that described for other species of Eriocaulaceae.

Compressions of Sequoia (Cupressaceae sensu lato) from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou, Ningcheng, Inner Mongolia, China

The specimens (two pairs of part and counterpart) of coniferalean branched leafy shoots were collected from the Jiulongshan Formation (Middle Jurassic) at the village of Daohugou, Ningcheng, Inner Mongolia, China. The fossil material displays helical phyllotaxy, dorsiventrally flattened linear, sessile leaves with decurrent base and prominent and single mid-vein. The foliate shoots are assigned to Sequoia jeholensis by comparing those of the genera Yanliaoa, Sequoia, Metasequoia, Taxodium, and Glyptostrobus, the basal members of the Cupressaceae sensu lato. Sequoia jeholensis is the oldest Sequoia species to date. It has coriaceous, dimorphic, helically arranged linear and scale leaves, with entire margins, attached obliquely to the axis by their decurrent bases. The leaf cuticle of S. jeholensis is described here for the first time. Leaves are hypostomatic, with stomata only on the abaxial surface. Anticlinal walls are straight, with single or more often paired pits. The epidermal structures of Sequoia are one of the key characters to distinguish it from similar genera, but they usually could not be used to distinguish the species within Sequoia. The Middle Jurassic of Daohugou represents a lacustrine environment with a warm and humid climate reflected by the species assemblage. So, the extinct Sequoia probably had similar climatic requirements to those of extant Sequoia sempervirens.

Seed morphology and sculpture of invasive Impatiens capensis Meerb. from different habitats.

Impatiens capensis is an annual plant native to eastern North America that is currently spreading across Europe. In Poland, due to this plant’s rapid spread in the secondary range and high competitiveness in relation to native species, it is considered a locally invasive species. The microstructure of seeds is an important tool for solving various taxonomic problems and also provides data useful for determining the impact of various environmental factors on the phenotypic variability of species. This issue is particularly important in regard to invasive species which occupy a wide range of habitats in the invaded range. There are few reports on seed size and thus far no descriptions of the seed ultrastructure of I. capensis in the analyzed literature. We present new data on the seed morphology of I. capensis growing in different habitats and conditions in the secondary range of the species. The studied populations differed significantly in each of the investigated traits (seed length, width, circumference, area, roundness, and mass). Our findings showed that anthropogenic disturbances in habitats and some soil parameters (presence of carbonates, potassium, loose sand, and moisture) were statistically significant with various seed sizes and morphology in the studied populations of I. capensis. Moreover, our studies showed maximum seed length (5.74 mm) and width (3.21 mm) exceeding those values given in the available literature. For the first time, we also provide a detailed SEM study of the ultrastructure of the seed coat of I. capensis. There are two types of epidermal cells on the seeds: (a) between the ribs (elongated with straight anticlinal walls, slightly concave outer periclinal walls, and micropapillate secondary sculpture on the edges with anticyclic walls), and (b) on the ribs (isodiametric cells with straight anticlinal walls and concave outer periclinal walls). Unlike the variability of size and weight of seeds, the coat ornamentation has turned out to be a steady feature within the studied secondary range of I. capensis.

Icacina trichantha Oliver’in (Icacinaceae) morfo-anatomik ve fitokimyasal değerlendirmesi

The leaf epidermis of Icacina trichantha, a quintessential medicinal tropical plant was investigated with the aid of light microscopy and the chemical constituents of its leaf and root were investigated using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Hitherto, leaf epidermis data is missing and similarly, the chemical analysis of the leaf and root of the plant is undertaken in a single study for the first time. The leaf epidermis characters with which the species can be defined include paracytic and diacytic stomatal types, irregular epidermal cell shape together with angular or curved anticlinal wall patterns. However, the quantitative data appeared to overlap thus providing the range of values of both the measured and counted features. N-hexane extract of the root is rich in reducing sugars, tannins, steroids, glycosides, terpenoids and flavonoids while GC-MS analysis revealed 11 and 3 significant esterified bioactive components in the leaf and tuberous root respectively with dodecanoic acid being most abundantly present (47.85%-54.10 %) but some chemical confined to specific areas are trichothec-9-en-8-one (47.73 %) in the root and 9-octadecenoic acid (25.05 %) in the leaf. The result of this study will assist in identifying the plant even if its parts are fragmentary and also be helpful in screening the plant for drug.

Taxonomic implications of leaf epidermis in halophytes of Amaranthaceae from Salt Range of Punjab, Pakistan

The leaf epidermal anatomy of 15 salt-tolerant plant species belonging to the Amaranthaceae from the Salt Range of Punjab-Pakistan was studied using light microscopy (LM). The main purpose of this investigation was to compare the leaf micro-morphologies of the studied taxa, which can provide diagnostic characters useful for correct identification of halophytic taxa. Various quantitative and qualitative foliar epidermal features of adaxial and abaxial surfaces, including epidermal cell shape, anticlinal wall pattern, lobes per cell, anomocytic, anisocytic, and paracytic types of stomata and trichome diversity, were studied. Eight types of trichomes reported for the halophytes studied i.e. stellate, glandular, conical, capitate, non-capitate, non-glandular, cylindrical, and falcate. The shapes of epidermal cells found are pentagonal, polygonal, irregular, wavy, and tetragonal. This is the first report on leaf epidermal micromorphology of halophytes of family Amaranthaceae of Salt Range of Punjab. The findings revealed that leaf epidermal features showed adequate variations among genera distinguishing the halophytic taxa of family Amaranthaceae.

Pharmacognostic and Taxonomic Studies of Cola parchycarpa K. Schum. (Malvaceae)

C. pachycarpa is a lesser-known member of the genus Cola in the family Malvaceae. In Nigeria its fruits are edible but with non-edible seeds as the general Cola ‘Kolanut” This study is carried out to evaluate the taxonomic and pharmacognostic characters of Cola pachycarpa K. Schum. for its identification, authentication and standardization. The pharmacognostic and taxonomic characters were determined from macroscopy, microscopy, petiole anatomy, powder microscopy, chemomicroscopy, micromeritic properties, ash values, extractive values, fluorescence analysis and phytochemical screening using standard methods. The leaves of C. pachycarpa were alternate, petiolate, compound and trifoliate. Petioles were within 45-50 cm long, leaflets 20-38 cm long, 10-19 cm wide, the middle leaflet were often longer than others. Leaflets were short petiolulate to subsessile, leaflet shape was elliptic, apex acuminate, margin entire and texture hairy on the abaxial surface of the leaflet with brown caducuous hairs on the abaxial surface only. Stem was erect, woody and scabrid about 4-10 cm in diameter. The fruit was 15 cm long and 7 cm wide with about 3-5 seeds occurring in a pod. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoid, saponins, tannins and cardiac glycosides but anthraquinone was absent for the leaf while all were present except alkaloid, cardiac glycoside and anthraquinone in the stem. Epidermal cells were polygonal with straight anticlinal walls. Drusiferous crystals were observed on the petioles. Leaflets were hypostomatic with anisocytic stomata and stellate trichomes on the abaxial surface. The chemomicroscopic study revealed the presence of lignin, starch, cellulose, oils, calcium oxalate crystals, mucilage and protein for both leaf and stem. The fluorescence characteristics showed the presence of different colours supporting the presence of various phytoconstituents for both leaf and stem. The flow properties for both leaf and stem were fair and passable with the angle of repose of 35° and 45°respectively. The quantitative epidermal studies, chemomicroscopic and fluorescence characteristics revealed characteristic features for the drug. The physico-chemical results for leaf and stem gave total ash of 8.24% and 11.5%, water soluble ash of 3.71% and 3.20%, acid-insoluble ash of 0.99% and 4.33% and moisture content of 10.58% and 4.33%, water-soluble extractive of 12.50 % and 9.40%, ethanol-soluble extractive of 9.10% and 2.90%, methanol-soluble extractive of 8.00 % and 2.30% and ethyl-acetate acetate-soluble extractive of 2.00% and 0.50% respectively.
 The findings of the research will help in the identification and authentication of the plant as well as establishing standards for quality, purity, safety, efficacy and reproducibility in phytomedicine.

Leaflet blade epidermis and its taxonomic significance in 13 species of Bignonieae (Bignoniaceae) from Pico do Jabre, Paraíba, northeast of Brazil

Bignonieae is the largest tribe of Bignoniaceae, with 21 genera and 393 species of lianas and shrubs that are 1–3-foliolate with the terminal leaflet modified as tendrils. We examined the micromorphologies of the epidermis from the leaflet blade of 13 species of Bignonieae belonging to Amphilophium, Anemopaegma, Bignonia, Cuspidaria, Dolichandra, Fridericia, Pyrostegia, Tanaecium, and Xylophragma, from Pico do Jabre, Paraíba, Brazil. These are lianas except for Tanaecium parviflorum (shrub). We sought to identify the epidermal leaflet parameters to support their taxonomy, subject to great similarities between their vegetative characters, mainly in species of the same genus and related genera. Analyses were performed using light and scanning electron microscopy, and showed five types of epicuticular waxes, four cuticle types, three epidermal cell anticlinal wall types, and nonglandular and glandular trichomes. Hypostomatic leaves showed 10 different types of stomata, with stomatal indices from 6.21% (Bignonia ramentacea) to 23.52% (Tanaecium parviflorum), and stomatal densities from 76 stomata/mm2 (Pyrostegia venusta) to 752.9 stomata/mm2 (T. parviflorum). The presence of raphides in Amphilophium crucigerum and styloids in Fridericia pubescens constitute the first records for these genera. Epidermal micromorphology provided a set of distinctive characters with which to separate these species, representing an additional tool to support their taxonomies, as well as that of tribe Bignonieae.

Taxonomic implication of leaf epidermal anatomy of selected taxa of Scrophulariaceae from Pakistan.

The family Scrophulariaceae consists of taxonomically complex genera and species. The delimitation of the taxa within this family is always challenging. In this paper, we studied leaf epidermis anatomical characteristics and its taxonomic significance of four species belonging to four genera of the family Scrophulariaceae collected from northern Pakistan. The species were examined under light and scanning electron microscopes (LM and SEM). Qualitative and quantitative foliar epidermal anatomical features were examined for both adaxial and abaxial surfaces. Qualitative characters like epidermal cell shape, epidermal cell cover, anticlinal wall, trichomes type, stomata type and stomata position were examined. Quantitative characters like the length and width of leaf epidermis, stomata, stomatal pore, subsidiary cell and trichomes for both adaxial and abaxial surfaces were studied and measured. Stomatal index within the species and between the species was found to be different on adaxial and abaxial surfaces. Diacytic stomata and glandular trichomes on epidermis were only found in Anticharis glandulosa while rest of the taxa has anomocytic type stomata and dendroid trichomes on both surfaces. Based on the micromorphological characters, we did principal component analysis (PCA), and cluster analysis for the species delimitation and identification. A taxonomic key has been provided to delimit and identify the studied taxa based on foliar epidermal characters. The aim of the present research was to elucidate the micromorphological characters to distinguish the studied taxa for taxonomic purposes.

Comparative foliar epidermal morphology of Isolona Engl. (Annonaceae)

A qualitative micromorphological assessment of the seven species of Isolona occurring in Nigeria and the Cameroons was undertaken with the aid of light microscope. The stomatal cells are particularly useful, providing stable characters which can be reliably employed in distinguishing the species. Hypostomatic leaves and paracytic stomatal type are generic constant. Possession of only paracytic stomata is characteristic of I. dewevrei whereas other species may have in addition another type such as 1+2 laterocytic stomatal type found only in I. zenkeri and presence of brachyparacytic stomata which shows relatedness of I. campanulata, I. congolana, I. hexaloba, I. pleurocarpus and I. thonneri. The epidermal surfaces appeared glabrous but an indication of hairs is shown by the presence of a glandular trichome base only in I. hexaloba. The epidermal cell characters such as epidermal cell shapes and anticlinal wall patterns seem to intergrade and they are not as definite as the stomatal cells. However, a combination of these features will be helpful in defining the species better and their leaf fragments can be differentiated based on the various characters studied for effective utilization in herbal medicinal research.

Foliar Micromorphology and Anatomy of Five Mediterranean Enclaves in Artvin (Turkey)

Aim of study: We aimed to investigate leaf micromorphology including venation types, and petiole and leaf blade anatomical characteristics of five woody/scrubs Mediterranean enclaves (Cotinus coggygria Scop., Rhus coriaria L., Arbutus andrachne L., Punica granatum L. and Jasminum fruticans L.) in this study. Area of study: Artvin Province has three distinct climate types. The species studied were collected from natural habitats in Artvin, where Mediterranean climate type occurs. Material and methods: Leaves of five species were evaluated micromorphologically and anatomically by using stereomicroscopy, light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Main results: Two species have imparipinnately compound leaves, while three have simple ones. Four venation types were determined in the species. C. coggygria has channeled anticlinal walls of adaxial epidermal cells and A. andrachne has striate cuticular ornamentation in the abaxial surfaces. Differently from others, R. coriaria and J. fruticans have glandular trichomes, and P. granatum has bicollateral vascular bundle. Secretory canals and druses crystals were detected in some investigated species. Most of the species have hypostomatic leaf type, but J. fruticans has amphistomatic one. The highest stomata number and indices per mm2 were observed in P. granatum, while the lowest values were found in J. fruticans. Research highlights: Among the species examined, Punica granatum with the highest stomatal number and indices per mm2, narrowed and deciduous leaf with epicuticular wax composition has probably distinctive adaptive strategies to water deficiency and xerophytic habitats

Using leaf micromorphology as a tool for identifying tree seedlings: a proof of concept using a fast technique

A identificação eficaz de espécies vegetais é fundamental para uma melhor compreensão da regeneração natural. Contudo, métodos taxonômicos clássicos dependem de estruturas reprodutivas, geralmente ausentes em indivíduos jovens. Para superar essa dificuldade, várias abordagens podem ser aplicadas, sendo um bom exemplo a anatomia externa da epiderme foliar (doravante micro-morfologia). Portanto, nosso objetivo foi testar se a micro-morfologia da epiderme foliar pode fornecer caracteres distintivos suficientes para a identificação de plântulas de espécies arbóreas em geral. Escolhemos seis espécies comuns da Floresta Estacional do Sul do Brasil para realizar uma prova de conceito, sendo coletadas de duas a quatro folhas de plântulas selecionadas aleatoriamente (cinco repetições/espécies). Em seguida, a epiderme foliar foi pressionada em uma lâmina de microscopia com adesivo instantâneo, cuja imagem impressa foi analisada em busca de características diagnósticas. As análises mostraram que várias características anatômicas da superfície foliar são suficientemente distintas para permitir uma identificação correta das espécies, como o formato das paredes anti-clinais das células epidérmicas, o formato dos estômatos e a presença/ausência de glândulas e cutícula. Portanto, a conclusão deste estudo é que a micro-morfologia epidérmica foliar pode ser usada como fonte de características diagnósticas para identificar corretamente as plântulas de espécies florestais.