Study Of Leaf Anatomy Research Articles

COMPARATIVE MICROMORPHOLOGY LEAF SURFACE OF SELECTED HOYA SPP. (APOCYNACEAE) FROM SARAWAK

Traditionally, morphological parameters have been used for several taxonomic and ecological identifications. The morphological characteristics alone would be difficult to distinguish the evidence for species identification. Hence, a study of leaf anatomy was conducted to compare the structural characteristics which focused on the epidermal cells, stomata, and trichomes by using a Compound Microscope and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Four selected species of Hoya from various localities within western of Sarawak were studied: H. caudata, H. coronaria, H. omlorii, and H. verticillata. The results showed stomatal types of Hoya species have stephanocytic stomata, except for two species which have slightly significant differences: H. coronaria has anomocytic stomata and H. omlorii has paracytic stomata. Meanwhile, in terms of the stomatal presence, all species possessed hypostomatic stomata, only H. verticillata has amphistomatic stomata which stomata presence on both sides of the adaxial and abaxial surfaces. Highest stomatal density was recorded in H. omlorii whereas the lowest were recorded in H. coronaria. Stomatal index were calculated and H. caudata has the highest with 12.80% and H. coronaria has the lowest value which is 6.28%. All four species were completely absence of trichomes except for H. coronaria which has simple unicellular non-glandular trichomes. The result indicates that the anatomical characteristics provide additional information and could be a great assist in the distinction within Hoya species.

COMPARATIVE LEAF ANATOMY AND MICROMORPHOLOGY OF ASYSTASIA GANGETICA T.ANDERSON SUBSP. MICRANTHA (NEES) ENSERMU AND RHINACANTHUS NASUTUS (L.) KURZ (JUSTICIINAE, ACANTHACEAE) FROM PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

Acanthaceae family has been used traditionally for medicinal purposes, especially amongst the native communities in Peninsular Malaysia. Nowadays, many taxonomists have difficulties in the identification of the Acanthaceae species due to its morphological similarities and when there is an incomplete part of plants obtained from the field sampling. But until now, there is no comprehensive study that has been documented especially on the Acanthaceae family, specifically for A. gangetica subsp. micrantha and R. nasutus. To avoid incorrect species identification, a systematic study that involved the leaf anatomy and micromorphology parts is being used for the identification and classification of plants in the Acanthaceae. Therefore, the main objective of this present study is to identify the leaf anatomical and micromorphological characteristics that can be used in plant identification and for supportive data in plant classification. The leaf anatomical and micromorphological studies that are conducted on species studied involve several procedures such as cross-section using a sliding microtome, and observation under a light microscope and scanning electron microscope. The anatomical and micromorphological characteristics observed that have been used to identify each species studied include patterns of petiole and midrib vascular bundles, leaf margin, leaf lamina, presence of cuticular striae, and the presence of trichomes. The results of this study showed that the cystolith cells can be found only in midrib of A. gangetica subsp. micrantha while it also recorded in petiole, midrib, and the leaf lamina of R. nasutus. Observation under the light microscope revealed nine types of trichomes in R. nasutus meanwhile seven trichomes were recorded in A. gangetica subsp. micrantha. Other than that, the present of cuticular striae only recorded at the abaxial epidermis of A. gangetica subsp. micrantha. In conclusion, results showed that anatomical and micromorphological characteristics have taxonomic significance that can be used in the identification and classification, especially at the species level

Leaf Anatomy of Morinda citrifolia L. in Pahang, Malaysia, and its Taxonomic Significance

Leaf anatomical study has been conducted on Morinda citrifolia L. from family Rubiaceae in Kuantan, Pahang. The aim of this study was to identify and list characteristics of leaf anatomy that can be used to identify and classification of species and genus in the Rubiaceae family. Methods used in this study were cross section using sliding microtome, epidermis peeling and leaf clearing and observation under a light microscope. Results from this study showed few characteristics can be used in identification in species studied. The result of this study showed that the presence of collenchyma cells, sclerenchyma cells, cell inclusions such as raphide at the petiole and midrib and hypostomatic stomata can be useful as an additional data to identify species studied. In conclusion, leaf anatomy characteristics can be used as an additional characteristic in the identification and classification of selected Rubiaceae species.Keywords: Leaf anatomy, Morinda citrifolia

Comparative Study on Leaf Anatomy in Selected Garcinia Species in Peninsular Malaysia

A comparative study of leaf anatomy was attempted on Garcinia species in Peninsular Malaysia to identify anatomical features useful in species identification and classification. The species are Garcinia mangostana var. mangostana , Garcinia mangostana var. malaccensis , and Garcinia celebica. Leaves were collected from two different regions: Kuantan, Pahang and Kepong, Kuala Lumpur. The leaf anatomical study was done using the methods of leaf peeling, leaf venation, leaf cross-section, and scanning electron microscopy. The assessment of the leaf anatomy found that these three Garcinia species showed similarities in anatomical features, including the presence of paracytic stomata on the abaxial surface, a straight to wavy anticlinal wall of both adaxial and abaxial surfaces, a thick cuticle wax layer, the presence of druses, mucilage canal, petiole vascular bundle, the presence of collenchyma cells in the midrib, and also the presence of sclerenchyma cells in midrib and petiole. Meanwhile, the notable anatomical variation observed in this study included three types of midrib vascular bundles: the outline of the leaf margin, the presence of tanniferous idioblast, leaf marginal, and laminal venation as six types of epicuticular waxes present on epidermal surface. Overall, this study highlighted the anatomical features that are taxonomically valuable, which could be used to identify selected Garcinia species in Malaysia.

Comparative Study of Leaf Anatomy and Micromorphology of Selected Justicia Species from Peninsular Malaysia

Justicia has been recognized as one of the largest genera in the Acanthaceae family with 600 species have been identified. Most researchers have problems identifying Justicia species especially if the samples are incomplete. Other than that, there is no comprehensive study on Justicia species, especially in Peninsular Malaysia. Therefore, a comprehensive study of leaf anatomy and micromorphology of three selected Justicia species which are Justicia adathoda, Justicia gendarussa and Justicia procumbens were conducted in order to assess the leaf anatomical and micromorphological variations that would be useful to identify the plant species. The methods used in this study involved several methods such as cross-section using a sliding microtome and observation under the scanning electron microscope (SEM) for the epidermis of abaxial and adaxial surfaces. Collenchyma, sclerenchyma and mucilage cells can be found either in the petiole or the midrib in all species studied. Amphistomatic stomata have also been recorded in all species examined. Meanwhile, several differences were discovered in this study, including the type of trichomes, the pattern of vascular bundles, the type of epicuticular wax structures, cuticle ornamentation and the presence of cystolith cells. In conclusion, the characteristics of some Justicia species in Peninsular Malaysia can be identified using leaf anatomy and micromorphology.

Justicia gendarussa (BURM F.) (WILLOW-LEAVED Justicia) FROM PENINSULAR MALAYSIA: LEAF ANATOMY AND MICROMORPHOLOGY

Acanthaceae or the Acanthus family has been commonly used by local peoples as traditional medicines, especially in PeninsularMalaysia. Justicia gendarussa, also known as ‘daun rusa’ or ‘genda rusa,’ treats inflammatory disorders, asthma, hepatic injuries,arthritis, and digestion problems. Many taxonomists nowadays struggle to identify Acanthaceae species due to morphologicalsimilarities and incomplete parts during the identification process. Other than that, there has been no comprehensive study ofJusticia gendarussa leaf anatomy to date. Therefore, this study aims to describe the leaf’s anatomical and micromorphologicalcharacteristics that would be useful to identify this plant species. The leaf anatomical study involved several methods such ascross-section using a sliding microtome and observation under a light microscope. While the leaf micromorphology methodinvolved the observation under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) of the epidermis of abaxial and adaxial surfaces. Theresult of this study showed the presence of collenchyma, sclerenchyma, and mucilage cells in the petiole and midrib. The patternsof petiole and midrib vascular bundles were described as the main vascular bundle (opened system with continuous rings of thevascular bundle) with two additional vascular bundles located the above right and left of the main vascular bundle near eachwing. The cystolith cells are present in the epidermis and parenchyma cortex while glandular and non-glandular trichomeswere recorded in the species studied. In conclusion, comprehensive data for the leaf anatomical and micromorphologicalcharacteristics can be used to supplement data in the identification of Justicia gendarussa.

Stem and Leaf Anatomical Studies of Selected Species of Barlerieae and Ruellieae (Acanthaceae) from Yemen

The anatomy of stems and leaves of selected species of tribes Barlerieae and Ruellieae (Acanthaceae) was studied to assess the taxonomic significance of anatomical characteristics in the two tribes. The anatomical characters such as the outline of stems, midribs, petioles, margins, shape of epidermal cells, vascular bundles, stomata, anticlinal cells, cystoliths, aerenchyma cells, layer of wax, layer of hypodermis were observed and analysed. Type of trichomes observed on the leaf surface using Scanning Electron Microscopy and light microscope provides information of taxonomic significance to both tribes and the taxa within them. The trichomes vary from non-glandular (unicellular, bicellular, multicellular, and multiradiate) to capitate glandular. Abundance of long-stalked trichomes was recorded only in Neuracanthus aculeatus. Cystoliths of different size and position are present in epidermis, parenchyma and collenchyma in addition to oil cells in some genera. The placement of Neuracanthus among the recognized tribes of Acanthaceae is assessed using anatomical characters.

Comparative Leaf Anatomy and Micromorphology of Thunbergia erecta (Benth.) T. Anderson and Thunbergia laurifolia Lindl. in Peninsular Malaysia.

Comparative leaf anatomy and micromorphology study was carried out on two selected species from the genus Thunbergia Retz. of Acanthaceae subfamily Thunbergioideae. These two investigated species were T. erecta and T. laurifolia from Peninsular Malaysia. The leaf anatomical study involve several methods such as cross-section using sliding microtome on the petioles, midribs, lamina and marginal, leaf epidermal peeling, leaf clearing and observation under a light microscope. The leaf micromorphology method involve the observation under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). This study aimed to investigate the taxonomic value of leaf anatomy and micromorphology characteristics of genus Thunbergia. The results have shown that there were five common characteristics present in both species studied and several variable characters that might be useful for species differentiation of T. erecta and T. laurifolia. The five common characteristics recorded were the presence of raphide, sinuous anticlinal walls, diacytic stomata, majority opened and minority closed venation in lamina and the presence of peltate glandular (unicellular terminal) trichome. The variable characteristics included were petiole, and marginal outlines, types of vascular bundles, the presence of druse, marginal venation, stomata occurrence, types of wax, cuticular sculpturing and types of trichomes. In conclusion, findings in this study showed that leaf anatomical and micromorphological characteristics possessed taxonomic value that can be used in the species identification for the genus Thunbergia specifically for T. erecta and T. laurifolia.

LEAF ANATOMY OF YOUNGIA JAPONICA (L.) DC. (ASTERACEAE) FROM PAHANG, MALAYSIA

Leaf anatomical and micromorphological studies on Youngia japonica (Asteraceae family) were accomplished. In the North America, this wild plant is consumed as salad as a healthy diet. The whole plant is edible and has been consumed in past years especially during famine. The Chinese community has been using this plant to perform blood cleansing, to cure sore throat, diarrhoea, mastitis, shingles, sprains, and bruises. Since there is yet any comprehensive study on the taxonomic study of Y. japonica in Kuantan, this study aims to investigate and examine its leaf anatomical and micromorphological characteristics that can be used as a complete guidance for its identification and additional data for its species classification. The methods involved in the leaf anatomy included a cross sectioning method on the petiole, midrib, lamina, and margin using a sliding microtome, clearing of venation using basic fuchsin, and epidermal peel methods using Jeffrey solution. The micromorphology of the leaf was observed under a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The result of the characteristics of leaf anatomical and micromorphological studies for Y. japonica found the type of vascular bundle at petiole which was an opened system, noncontinuous ring of separated vascular bundle arranged in arc-shaped with additional vascular bundles, there were presence of mucilage cells, incomplete marginal venation, anomocytic stomata at leaf epidermis, granules and crust of wax, and multicellular trichomes with different ended and capitate glandular trichome. In conclusion, the findings have shown that the anatomical and micromorphological characteristics have their taxonomic value and can be useful in the identification, differentiation, and classification of the plant at the species level.

The implication of leaf anatomical structure for the selective breeding of lilacs.

The cultivars of the common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) grown in the south of the Russian Far East are not always winter-hardy and are often damaged by fungal diseases due to a very humid climate. A promising trend in the selective breeding of lilacs in Russia is the creation of new breeding material based on the gene pool of the broadleaf lilac (S. oblata) and its hybrids in order to introduce valuable adaptive traits into cultivars. The present work aimed to identify the traits of leaf anatomy in species and cultivars of Syringa resistant and susceptible to Pseudocercospora lilacis, the causative agent of brown leaf spot disease. The study was carried out on the living collection of the Botanical Garden-Institute, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (Vladivostok). The leaf anatomical structure of two Syringa species showing different degrees of resistance to P. lilacis in the monsoon climate of the Far East (resistant S. oblata and weakly resistant S. vulgaris, and also their hybrid cultivars) has been analyzed. The differences between species, subspecies, and cultivars are quantitative: they differ in the number of spongy mesophyll layers, the cell height in the f irst layer of palisade mesophyll, the cell height in the upper and lower epidermises, and the thickness of both mesophylls. The interspecif ic hybrids resistant or weakly resistant to P. lilacis (brown leaf spot disease) mainly retain the leaf anatomy structure of the maternal plant. One of the traits determining the resistance of hybrid lilac cultivars is an increased number of spongy mesophyll layers in the leaf blade. The study of leaf anatomy has shown that the four-layered spongy mesophyll leaf parenchyma correlates with the resistance of lilacs from the subsection Euvulgaris to P. lilacis. In S. oblata, this trait is inherited down the maternal line. To establish lilac cultivars resistant to fungal diseases, it is advisable to cross the two species (S. oblata and S. vulgaris) or their cultivars using one of S. oblata subspecies as a maternal plant.

A monograph of the genus Polhillia (Genisteae: Fabaceae)

Polhillia is a small, but poorly known genus of legumes endemic to the Greater Cape Floristic Region (GCFR) of South Africa. The genus was described three decades ago to accommodate species erroneously placed in Argyrolobium and other Cape legume genera. Polhillia is the third most threatened plant genus in South Africa, hence priority for taxonomic study and current knowledge on distribution patterns are essential for conservation interventions. Eight species were known at the start of this study, all of which are threatened with extinction. Species boundaries were, however, unclear and many Renosterveld fragments, in particular in the Overberg, required further exploration in pursuit of the various Polhillia species. The phylogenetic relationships among species and monophyly of the genus, especially regarding the position of the morphological aberrant P. involucrata, had not been tested. This study was built upon a foundation of widespread field sampling and analysis of herbarium specimens. Having considered morphological, anatomical, palynological and molecular data, we present an updated taxonomy of the genus Polhillia. Morphological characters between species were often obscure and unique characters were uncommon, as such species are recognized based on unique combinations of characters. Pollen and leaf anatomical studies did not provide substantial taxonomically informative characters, although some interspecific differences were noted. Molecular phylogenetic reconstructions confirm Polhillia to be monophyletic and sister to Argyrolobium, and that Argyrolobium may not be monophyletic. The morphologically distinct species, P. involucrata, is strongly supported as sister to the rest of the genus. Internal phylogenetic resolution in Polhillia is weak in many clades, due to the low variability among DNA markers studied, and several polytomies are still present. Based on the morphological and molecular evidence, we place P. involucrata in the new monotypic subgenus Roseopolhillia. Four new species are described (P. fortunata B.du Preez, P. groenewaldii B.du Preez, P. stirtoniana B.du Preez, P. xairuensis B.du Preez), and a previously recognized species (P. canescens C.H.Stirt.) is placed in synonymy under P. connata (Harv.) C.H.Stirt. Red data list assessments are provided for all species to highlight their conservation importance. Maps and compound colour plates are provided for each species.

Comparative Leaf Anatomical Studies Reveal Photosynthetic Pathways type in Guinea Grass (<i>Panicum maximum</i> Jacq.) Accessions and their Interspecific Lineage

Comparative Leaf Anatomical Studies Reveal Photosynthetic Pathways type in Guinea Grass (<i>Panicum maximum</i> Jacq.) Accessions and their Interspecific Lineage

Morphological and anatomical investigation of New Caledonian graminoid Dendrobium (Orchidaceae) with the description of two new species

Morphological characters support the description of two new species of Orchidaceae from New Caledonia: Dendrobium butinii M.Pignal & Munzinger sp. nov. and Dendrobium letocartiorum Munzinger & M.Pignal sp. nov. The lectotypes of Dendrobium camaridiorum Rchb.f. and D. crassifolium Schltr. are designated here. A leaf anatomical study was conducted and provided useful characters to distinguish the five New Caledonian graminoid Dendrobiineae species. Two identification tools are provided: an anatomical key for sterile material of grass-like Dendrobiineae and a morphological key for the New Caledonian graminoid Dendrobium. We propose preliminary conservation assessments with IUCN criteria for the new taxa.

Is Pteropyrum a pathway to C4 evolution in Polygonaceae? An integrative approach to the taxonomy and anatomy of Pteropyrum (C3), an immediate relative of Calligonum (C4)

AbstractPteropyrum is a small genus of Polygonaceae with four species from the arid regions of Iran and adjacent countries. Pteropyrum spp. are not precisely delimitated and are difficult to identify because of their high plasticity in morphological characters. Pteropyrum (C3) has a close affinity to Calligonum (C4) and is therefore a suitable case for C4 evolutionary studies. We investigated the morphology and micromorphology (including pollen morphology) of Pteropyrum and elucidated the phylogenetic relationships with Atraphaxis and Calligonum using nuclear ITS sequences. Characteristics of the photosynthetic tissues such as volume and number of layers of primary carbon assimilation tissues (PCA) and photosynthetic carbon reduction tissue (PCR) were studied. In addition, the leaf and cotyledon anatomical characters of Pteropyrum (C3), Atraphaxis (C3) and Calligonum (C4), and their δ 13C values were compared to look for evolutionary changes in assimilating organs. The molecular phylogenetic tree identifies two strongly supported clades in Pteropyrum and its close relationship with Calligonum, confirming previous studies. Some morphologically similar species belong to different clades, which is probably due to convergent evolution and homoplasy. Leaf anatomical studies show that Atraphaxis has a multilayered mesophyll tissue, whereas Calligonum has one-layered mesophyll cells. The volume and layer number of mesophyll tissue cells decreases, whereas water storage tissue area significantly increases from Atraphaxis to Pteropyrum and Calligonum. This phenomenon confirms previous studies in other lineages with C4 salsoloid anatomy that have evolved through increasing of water storage tissue and succulence of assimilating organs. In the taxonomic part of the paper, a key to identification of accepted taxa of Pteropyrum, description of species and distribution maps are presented based on numerous herbarium specimens and our own rich collections from the field. Four new species are described based on a combination of morphology of seedlings and mature plants, pollen morphology and molecular data. A subspecific classification is suggested to show morpho-geographical variation of Pteropyrum aucheri s.l.

Anatomical characterization of Strobilanthes (Acanthaceae) species from the northern Western Ghats of India and its implication for identification at vegetative state

A comprehensive study of stem, leaf and petiole anatomy of 10 species of Strobilanthes from northern Western Ghats of India was carried out to identify characteristics which would enable species identification when flowering material is unavailable. In Strobilanthes, some species bloom annually, others are plietesials, i.e. they grow without blooming for several years and then produce huge quantities of flowers, release seeds and die. Therefore, alternative methods, such as anatomical characters, are essential to distinguish Strobilanthes species in their vegetative stage. We collected ten species of Strobilanthes for anatomical characterization. Under the bright‐field microscope, stem cross‐sections of different species were found to be undulate, quadrangular, quadrangular‐winged or terete. Study of the stem revealed a distinct outer and inner cortex, the distribution of cystoliths (CaCO3 crystals), raphides (CaC2H2O5 crystals) and sclereids which varied from species to species. Study of leaf anatomy showed structural variation and vascular bundle shapes that differed between the species. Leaf epidermal characters under light and scanning electron microscopy exhibited variation in characters such as stomatal index, stomatal length and width, stomatal type and presence of glandular and non‐glandular trichomes. The petiole anatomy was species‐specific, especially with respect to vascular bundle structure and the distribution of structures such as sclereids, cystoliths, sphaeraphides and tannin cells varied. Hence, unique anatomical features of the stem, leaf and petiole could be used as taxonomic characters to identify Strobilanthes species in a vegetative state.

LEAF ANATOMY AND ESSENTIAL OIL PRODUCTION IN NATIVE SPECIES OF LIPPIA

This work aimed to perform a comparative study of leaf anatomy, trichome frequency and essential oil production of some Lippia native species of the semi-arid region of Bahia, Brazil. Leaf samples were analyzed with light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy to describe the structure and to quantify the trichome frequency. Six types of glandular trichomes were identified: uni, bi and tetracellular, as well as three types of tectorial trichomes. L. bromleyana presents an ornamented epidermis and no tectorial trichomes on the abaxial surface. L. thymoides has glandular trichomes with irregular contours on both leaf faces, with a higher frequency of tectorial trichomes on the adaxial surface and peltate glandular trichomes on the abaxial surface. L. insignis and L. lasiocalycina are anatomically similar, and present a higher tector trichome frequency on the abaxial surface compared to the others species. L. thymoides and L. insignis are distinguished by the essential oil production.

Leaf anatomical characters of four epiphytic orchids of Sempu Island, East Java, Indonesia: The importance in identification and ecological adaptation

Rindyastuti R, Nurfadilah S, Rahadiantoro A, Hapsari L, Abywijaya IK. 2018. Leaf anatomical characters of four epiphytic orchids of Sempu Island, East Java, Indonesia: The importance in identification and ecological adaptation. Biodiversitas 19: 1906-1918. Leaf anatomy features are important characters to support species identification and classification, and they are related to ecological adaptation of species. The aims of the present study were: (i) to investigate leaf anatomical characters of four epiphytic orchids of Sempu Island (Ascochilus emarginatus, Dendrobium subulatum, Thrixspermum subulatum, and Thrixspermum acuminatissimum) in relation to the significance in species identification and ecological adaptation in coastal habitats of Sempu Island, (ii) to compare the adaptive ability of the four species in coastal habitats based on adaptive anatomical characters. The procedure of leaf anatomical studies as follows: orchid leaves were fixed in ethanol 70% and sliced into thin pieces with a microtome, and stained with 1% Safranin. The leaf anatomical organization of orchids (stomata, epidermis, mesophyll, vascular bundles, and other characters such as hypodermis, fibre bundles, raphide bundles, and spiral thickenings) was observed under light microscope. The results showed the comparable data of leaf anatomical characters among the orchids. There was distinct variation in the anatomical characters of the orchids including stomata anomocytic, tetracytic, and cyclocytic; the presence or absence of hypodermis, spiral thickenings, fibre bundles, raphide bundles, and bundle sheaths; homogenous and heterogenous mesophyll; and variation in vascular bundle arrangement. Detailed leaf anatomical characters can be used to distinguish a species from others, which are important to support species identification. The similarity of anatomical characters among these orchids were they possessed relatively thick cuticle and other specific anatomical characters as a structural adaptation to coastal habitat with high irradiation to reduce leaf transpiration. D. subulatum can be considered as the most adaptive orchid species to coastal habitats based on adaptive anatomical characters as it possessed the largest number of adaptive anatomical characters. The implication of this study is the importance of leaf anatomical features to support species identification and to increase understanding of orchid biology and ecology which are important in orchid conservation.

Morpho-anatomical aspects of the first- and-second year leaf epidermis of some <i>Rhododendron</i> L. winter-green species in the Bugsko-Polessky Region

This paper discusses morphological and anatomical aspects of the first-and-second-year-leaf epidermis of the two winter-green species, genus Rhododendron L.: R. catawbiense Michx. and R. davidsonianum Rehd., grown in the Bugsko-Polessky Region from the seed reproduction of the Central Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. The representatives of the studied genus are promising crops for planting gardens, settlements and interiors. Therefore, the study of leaf anatomy lets to find plants adaptive features to different environmental conditions and identify their adaptation capacity in the new conditions of growth. The paper identified diagnostic features, as well as similarities and differences of morphometric parameters. The research method was a comparative anatomical one. The author made a code of diagnostic features of the leaf anatomical structure, which described the views of cross sections. The character of the natural confinement species lays its mark on the formation of individual elements of the leaves structure, ensuring their successful adaptation to the new conditions of growth. The studies have shown that both species quite successfully acclimatized and are promising for mass reproduction and wider use in the Bugsko-Polessky Region, and this is supported by qualitative and quantitative indicators of the morphology and internal leaf structure.

Anatomical Characteristics of Stem and Leaf in <i>Euphorbia hirta</i> L.

The stem and leaf anatomical studies of Euphorbia hirta L. were conducted for finding identical traits. The fresh hand sections were stained with safranin and examined under light microscope. Cross section of the stem has a circular shape where epidermis was uniseriate and isodiametric. Cortex was distinctly formed with about 5-6 rows composed of chlorenchyma and found laticifers. Tracheary elements were resembled by vessels and trachieds. In most cases, some pith cells were filled laticifers at young stage and it has a distinct gap or central cavity at maturation stage. In leaf, the epidermis was uniseriate, regular, thin walled, usually similar in diameters and covered with thin cuticle layer. Multicellular uniseriate or gland-like trichomes occur in rugose hairs at epidermis. Mesophyll was differentiated into palisade and spongy layers, was composed of parenchyma cells. The palisade layer assembled with 2 rows of cells. The spongy layer thickness was different around the midrib region, compared with other parts, has 2-6 rows of cells. Laticifers were present at the middle part of the mesophyll. Xylem elements in midrib initiated perfectly and composed of many straight rows of mainly vessels where the phloem elements were abundant and occupied a good part of the vascular bundle as a semicircle shape. The stem and leaf anatomy of this species studied here showed laticifers in cortex zone and pith cells, and middle part of the mesophyll, respectively, was a taxonomic trait for this species.

Morphological and anatomical studies of the newly recorded genus <i>Plagiopteron</i> Griff. (Celastraceae) from Vietnam

Plagiopteron Griff. (Celastraceae), collected from Bac Giang Province of Vietnam is reported here as a new generic record for the flora of Vietnam. It is supposedly an early derived member of the subfamily Hippocrateoideae (composed of tribes Campylostemoneae and Hippocrateeae), within Hippocrateaceae. The genus differs from other members of Celastraceae by its many bicyclically arranged stamens. Leaf anatomical studies have been performed to understand various features such as venation, vascular bundles, collenchyma and stomata. Taxonomic notes, description, and photographs are provided, together with short notes on the distribution, ecology and phenology of the species.Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 23(2): 161-166, 2016 (December)