Epidermal Cell Shape Research Articles

Standardization of Aneilema lanceolatum as a potential medicinal plant

Aneilema lanceolatum is a weed plant commonly found in farm lands and bushes around tropical African countries. The plant is utilized as livestock feeds and in traditional medicine in northern Nigeria for the treatment and management of pains, infectious diseases and as sexual stimulant. The present study was aimed at establishing microscopic, physicochemical and phytochemical constituents of the plant. The aerial parts of the plant was collected in May, 2021 from Kubanni, Sabon-gari local government area of Kaduna state and were identified and authenticated at the Herbarium unit of the Department of Botany, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria-Nigeria and a voucher number ABU0533 was assigned. The physicochemical parameters, microscopic evaluation and qualitative and quantitative screening of the plant were carried out using standard procedures. The stomatal index of the upper epidermis (18.60±1.91) is lower than the lower epidermis (22.10±2.03) with palisade ratio of 10.07±0.90. The microscopic of the stem and leaf revealed presence of epidermis, xylem and phloem. Moisture content of the powdered plants was 1.23±0.05% with water and alcohol extractives values of 20.40±0.03% and 12.40±0.05% respectively. The total ash, water-soluble and acid-insoluble ash values are 5.52±0.02, 2.05±0.02% and 2.62±0.01% respectively. The microscopic characters revealed presence of wavy and polygonal shapes of epidermal cells with anomocytic type of stomata and unicellular non-glandular trichomes. The qualitative and quantitative phytochemical studies revealed presence of saponins (10.61%), alkaloids (0.98%), terpenoids (0.10%) and flavonoids (4.08%). The pharmacognostic parameters of the aerial parts of A. lanceolatum were established.

Pharmacognostic and Taxonomic Studies of the Leaf of Ageratum houstonianum Mill. (Compositae)

Ageratum houstonianum occurs as a common agricultural weed, it is managed in small and large cropping situation by tillage and can contribute to soil fertility as a waste mulch. The aim of this study was to employ the pharmacognostic and taxonomic parameters to evaluate the leaves of Ageratum houstonianum. The leaves were collected, identified, air dried, pulverized and subjected to microscopy, micromeritics, chemomicroscopy, fluorescence, soluble-extractive values, moisture content and ash values using standard procedures. The result obtained from the microscopy showed an irregular epidermal cell shape and a sinuous anticlinal wall pattern, anomocytic type of stomata, double armed trichome and amphistomatic stomatal distribution on both the abaxial and adaxial surfaces. The stomatal index for the abaxial surface was 11.6% and for the adaxial surface was 25.6%.The micromeritic evaluation of the powdered leaf revealed a Carr’s index of 25.23%, Hausner’s ratio of 1.33 and an angle of repose of 38.8o indicating a poor flow. The result for chemomicroscopy showed the presence of oils, protein, lignin, mucilage and calcium oxalate crystals. For moisture content, the result was 12.7%w/w, the Total ash value was 14%w/w, Acid-insoluble ash value was 0.7%w/w,water-soluble ash value was 7.7%w/w, methanol-soluble extractive value was 17%w/w, ethanol-soluble extractive value was 16%w/wand the water-soluble extractive value was 21%w/w. The data obtained from the pharmacognostic and taxonomic studies provided information for the identity, quality and purity of Ageratum houstonianum.

Micromorphological leaf epidermal traits as potential taxonomic markers for infrageneric classification of Oxytropis (Fabaceae).

The characteristics of the leaf epidermis have proven to be useful criteria to support taxonomic studies within Fabaceae. However, there are few systematic studies on the taxonomic significance of leaf epidermis of Oxytropis DC. Here, we used light and scanning electron microscopy to investigate leaf epidermal characteristics of 18 species of genus Oxytropis from the Northeastern Margin of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Our examination showed two main types of leaf epidermal cells: polygonal and irregular, and four different patterns of anticlinal walls: straight-arched, sinuolate, undulate, and sinuate. All species studied possess anomocytic stomata. Two trichome shapes were identified: strip-like trichomes, that were present only in O.ciliata, and cylindrical trichomes, present in all other species. Epidermal cell shape and anticlinal wall pattern were constant within species and are useful for species delimitation within genus Oxytropis, when combined with other macroscopic traits. The shape of trichomes can be useful for distinguishing O.ciliata from the other investigated species. Stomatal type was the same within the genus and may be used to elaborate the phylogenetic relationships between genera in combination with data on stomata from other genera. Cluster analysis results were largely consistent with the classification of species and sections based on macro morphological data, indicating that foliar epidermis characteristics of Oxytropis can be used as markers for taxonomic identification at the infrageneric classification level. Lastly, our results support the delineation of the section Leucopodia as an independent section but do not support the merging of section Gobicola into section Baicalia.

Foliar micromorphology of selected medicinal Lamiaceae taxa and their taxonomic implication using scanning electron microscopy.

In this research, 25 medicinally used Lamiaceae species belonging to 20 genera have been studied and identified for the nine disorders. We used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for qualitative and quantitative morphological character identification. The micromorphological characters observed here were important for distinguishing the studied taxa. The highest medicinal values were reported for Vitex negundo and Scutellaria baicalensis for all considered categories except urinary and otorhinolaryngology disorders. The foliar epidermal anatomical characteristics revealed that the micromorphological features of the Lamiaceae species provide taxonomically significant and accurate identification information to delimitate the family species. Moreover, we focused on both qualitative (epidermal cell shape, stomata type, stomatal pore shape, subsidiary cell shape, glandular trichomes, and non-glandular trichome shape) as well as quantitative features (epidermal cell size, stomata size, stomatal pore size, subsidiary cell size, and trichomes size). The trichomes diversity was different in most species' on adaxial and abaxial surfaces. In most species, anomocytic stomata were observed, but other types such as diacytic, paracytic, and tetracytic type stomata were also examined. The diverse pattern of anatomical characters suggests that the studied taxa provide insight evidence for the taxonomic observation of the Traditional Chinese Medicinal plants from the Lamiaceae. This work sets an avenue for future research and taxonomic exploration of medicinal flora through microscopic investigations. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: This research offers a thorough microscopic identification of the family Lamiaceae. Taxonomic information on the trichome characters and types for the accurate authentication. Qualitative and quantitative characterization of 25 medicinally used Lamiaceae taxa.

Comparative Analysis of the Effects of Internal Factors on the Floral Color of Four Chrysanthemum Cultivars of Different Colors

Flower color, a critical phenotypic trait of ornamental plants, is an essential indicator for flower variety classification. Many physical and internal factors that affect flower color have been widely investigated; however, the effects of internal factors during the flowering period remain unknown. In this study, we evaluated the effects of internal factors on floral coloration during the flowering period of four chrysanthemum cultivars of different colors. colorimetric measurements showed that L*, a*, and b* were in correlation with the lightness and color development in the four chrysanthemum cultivars. The distinctive shape of upper epidermal cells was observed in each flowering stage of different colored chrysanthemums. With progression of the flowering process, the content of anthocyanins and carotenoids increased during early stages, decreased at the senescence stage, and was the highest at the full-bloom stage. The vacuolar pH of flowers gradually decreased as the flower bloomed. Metal contents in flowers varied across different chrysanthemum varieties. Anthocyanins biosynthesis genes, such as CmCHS and CmCHI, were expressed and responsible for pigment changes in red chrysanthemums. Moreover, the expression pattern of cytosol pH-related genes, such as CmVHA-a1, CmVHA-C, and CmVHA-C″1, was in accordance with a decrease in pH during flowering stages. Our results revealed the effects of main internal factors on floral color during the flowering period in four Chrysanthemum varieties, providing insights into the introcellular and molecular regulatory mechanisms of flower coloration and laying key foundations for the improvement of color breeding in chrysanthemums.

Morpho-anatomical diversity of five species of genus Asparagus (Asparagaceae) from Algeria

Five species of genus Asparagus are recognized in the flora of Algeria: A. acutifolius L., A. albus L., A. horridus L., A. officinalis L., and the endemic A. altissimus Munby. The chorology of each of these species is fairly well known. In this study, morphological variation and the anatomical features of the cladodes have been evaluated in respect to each taxonomic unit and ecogeographical distribution and suggest distinct adaptive strategies. Analysis have been performed on twenty-nine natural populations sampled along the east-west bioclimatic gradient of the Northern Algeria. Multivariate analysis based on the main diagnostic descriptors, underlines the interspecific differentiation particularly with respect to the stigma type bifid versus trifid, shape of flowers, color of berry, and the number of cladodes in a fascicle. For each species the anatomy of the cladodes is unique, unlike that of stems and roots. Interspecific differentiation was observed in the form of cross-sections of the cladode, thickness of the cuticle, shape of epidermal cells, number of vascular bundles and presence of raphides. Morphological and anatomical traits of the cladode constitute important interspecific criteria within the genus Asparagus.

Morpho-Anatomical Study And Botanical Identification of Pogostemon auricularius (L.) Hassk. (Lamiaceae).

Pogostemon Desf. includes a wide range of taxa found in subtropical and tropical areas. Few works, however, have studied microanatomical characteristics of Pogostemon species and as yet identified features of Pogostemon auricularius (L.) Hassk. Thus, in this paper, we examined the taxonomic implications of root, stem and leaf morphology for species P. auricularius collected from Quang Tri Province. Light microscopy was mainly used in our study. Qualitative characters like stem quadrangular, hirsute; leaves opposite, ovate, margin serrulate; calyx campanulate; corolla small with separate equal lobes have been found in P. auricularius. Epidermal anatomy on the aerial parts of the species like epidermal cell shape, anticlinal walls, trichomes types, stomata types and calcium oxalate crystals types were examined as well. Quantitative characters like the length and width of leaf blade and inflorescence; the size of oil droplet, stomata and calcium oxalate crystals measured provided taxonomic significance. Based on identifying morphological characteristics of P. auricularius, we aimed to contribute to the taxonomic investigation into the genus Pogostemon and give relative morphological and microanatomical features compared with other taxa.

ROPGAP-dependent interaction between brassinosteroid and ROP2-GTPase signaling controls pavement cell shape in Arabidopsis

The epidermal pavement cell shape in Arabidopsis is driven by chemical and mechanical cues that direct partitioning mechanisms required for the establishment of the lobe- and indentation-defining polar sites. Brassinosteroid (BR) hormones regulate pavement cell morphogenesis, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we identified two PLECKSTRIN HOMOLOGY GTPase-ACTIVATING proteins (PHGAPs) as substrates of the GSK3-like kinase BR-INSENSITIVE2 (BIN2). The phgap1phgap2 mutant displayed severe epidermal cell shape phenotypes, and the PHGAPs were markedly enriched in the anticlinal face of the pavement cell indenting regions. BIN2 phosphorylation of PHGAPs was required for their stability and polarization. BIN2 inhibition activated ROP2-GTPase signaling specifically in the lobes because of PHGAP degradation, while the PHGAPs restrained ROP2 activity in the indentations. Hence, we connect BR and ROP2-GTPase signaling pathways via the regulation of PHGAPs and put forward the importance of spatiotemporal control of BR signaling for pavement cell interdigitation.

Arabidopsis pavement cell shape formation involves spatially confined ROPGAP regulators

In many plant species, pavement cell development relies on the coordinated formation of interdigitating lobes and indentations. Polarity signaling via the activity of antagonistic Rho-related GTPases from plants (ROPs) was implicated in pavement cell development, but the spatiotemporal regulation remained unclear. Here, we report on the role of the PLECKSTRIN HOMOLOGY GTPase ACTIVATING PROTEINS (PHGAPS) during multipolar growth in pavement cell shape establishment. Loss of function in phgap1phgap2 double mutants severely affected the shape of Arabidopsis leaf epidermal pavement cells. Predominantly, PHGAPs interacted with ROP2 and displayed a distinct and microtubule-dependent enrichment along the anticlinal cell face and transfacial boundary of pavement cell indentation regions. This localization was established upon undulation initiation and was maintained throughout the expansion of the cell. Our data suggest that PHGAP1/REN2 and PHGAP2/REN3 are key players in the establishment of ROP2 activity gradients and underscore the importance of locally controlled ROP activity for the orchestrated establishment of multipolarity in epidermal cells.

Pharmacognostic Characterization of Cola millenii K. Schum. (Malvaceae)

Background: Cola millenii K. Schum. is a member of Cola which is lesser-known in the family Malvaceae. The leaf is used in the treatment of ringworm, scabies, gonorrhoea, diarrhoea, cough and ophthalmia by the locals.
 Aim: The study determines various taxonomic, pharmacognostic and phytochemical standards helpful to ensure the identity, purity, safety and efficacy of the medicinal plant, C. millenii.
 Methodology: The pharmacognostic characterization was determined following the guidelines given by the World Health Organization (WHO). Parameters determined included macroscopy, microscopy, powder microscopy, petiole anatomy, chemomicroscopy, micromeritic properties, ash values, extractive values, fluorescence analysis and preliminary phytochemical screening.
 Results: Preliminary phytochemical screening for both the leaf and stem ethanol extracts showed the presence of phytochemicals. Epidermal cell shapes were polygonal with straight anticlinal walls. Stomatal distribution was hypostomatic with hexacytic, anisocytic and anomocytic stomata on the abaxial surface. Unicellular and glandular trichomes were observed on the abaxial surface. Areolation was quadrangular with calcium oxalate crystals observed along the veins. The chemomicroscopic study revealed the presence of lignin, starch, cellulose, oils, calcium oxalate crystals, mucilage and protein for both leaf and stem respectively. 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 40.6o and 36.8o 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 5.5 % and 12.07 %, water-soluble ash of 1.19 % and 3.39 %, acid-insoluble ash of 0.90 % and 2.29 % and moisture content of 4.49 % and 16.33 %, water-soluble extractive of 26.30 % and 22.50 %, ethanol-soluble extractive of 24.30 % and 16.80 %, methanol-soluble extractive of 20.90 % and 2.50 % and ethyl-acetate acetate-soluble extractive of 6.60 % and 1.10 % respectively. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 31 and 45 phytochemical constituents for the leaf and stem respectively.
 Conclusion: The data generated from the present study would help to authenticate C. millenii and also affirm its folklore use in traditional medicine.

Palyno-anatomical microscopic characterization of selected species of Boraginaceae and Fabaceae.

Palyno-anatomical characterization of some selected species of Boraginaceae and Fabaceae using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was conducted. Six species of them belongs to four genera of family Boraginaceae and other six species belongs to four genera of Fabaceae. The current study aimed to investigate palyno-anatomical features for correct identification and taxonomic significance. Pollen grains were acetolyzed and observed both qualitatively and quantitatively through light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Statistical data was analyzed through cluster analysis which categorized plants into clusters. Principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out to illustrate morphological variation among selected plant species. Studied plant species showed variation in shape, size, aperture type, exine ornamentation of pollen, size and shape of epidermal cells, types of stomata, guard cells, subsidiary cells and trichome types. Exine thickness was recorded maximum 2.30 ± 0.1μm in Lablab purpureus and minimum 1.05 ± 0.2 in Gastrocotyle hispida. PCA summarized 73.78% of accumulative variance. Trichome index was observed highest 62% on the adaxial surface of Heliotropium europaeum and lowest 21% on adaxial surface of L. purpureus. These findings reinforce the importance of palyno-anatomical features in the characterization and identification of taxa. It was concluded that description of palyno-anatomical characteristics presented in this study, highly contribute to our knowledge for correct identification of plant species.

Light and scanning electron microscopy-based foliar morpho-anatomical comparison of selected family Rosaceae members distributed in District Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.

In the present study morpho-anatomical characterization of selected Rosaceae members distributed in District Lahore was performed. Light and scanning electron microscopy was used for systematic characterization of the selected 19 species. Distinguished morpho-anatomical features such as size and shape of epidermal cells, size and type of stomatal cells, size and shape of trichomes, oil droplets, and silica bodies were contrasted. Results reported remarkable variations which could be taxonomically useful in identification of these members. Polygonal epidermal cells were observed in Eriyobotraya japonica, Potentilla bifurca, Potentilla supina, and Prunus amygdalus. However, Prunus cerasus possessed irregular-shaped epidermal cells that can be distinguished from hexagonal epidermal cells of Prunus persica. Similarly, stomatal type varied among some members. Paracytic or perisocytic stomata were observed in E. japonica whereas P. bifurca observed paracytic and anisocytic stomata. Lengths of guard cells were also of variable sizes. The average length of guard cells ranged from 53 (52-54) μm to 74 (73-75) μm in abaxial view. Potentilla supina had biggest, while Rosmarinus officinalis had tiny guard cells. Trichomes were tubular, stellate, cylindrical, ribbon-like, glandular, and nonglandular. Silica bodies in the present investigation were bilobed, rounded, and oval-shaped. It is inferred that diverse anatomical features proved to be valuable taxonomic tools that could be fruitfully helpful in identification of plants at specific as well as generic level.

Metal-Nano-Ink Coating for Monitoring and Quantification of Cotyledon Epidermal Cell Morphogenesis.

During cotyledon growth, the pavement cells, which make up most of the epidermal layer, undergo dynamic morphological changes from simple to jigsaw puzzle-like shapes in most dicotyledonous plants. Morphological analysis of cell shapes generally involves the segmentation of cells from input images followed by the extraction of shape descriptors that can be used to assess cell shape. Traditionally, replica and fluorescent labeling methods have been used for time-lapse observation of cotyledon epidermal cell morphogenesis, but these methods require expensive microscopes and can be technically demanding. Here, we propose a silver-nano-ink coating method for time-lapse imaging and quantification of morphological changes in the epidermal cells of growing Arabidopsis thaliana cotyledons. To obtain high-resolution and wide-area cotyledon surface images, we placed the seedlings on a biaxial goniometer and adjusted the cotyledons, which were coated by dropping silver ink onto them, to be as horizontal to the focal plane as possible. The omnifocal images that had the most epidermal cell shapes in the observation area were taken at multiple points to cover the whole surface area of the cotyledon. The multi-point omnifocal images were automatically stitched, and the epidermal cells were automatically and accurately segmented by machine learning. Quantification of cell morphological features based on the segmented images demonstrated that the proposed method could quantitatively evaluate jigsaw puzzle-shaped cell growth and morphogenesis. The method was successfully applied to phenotyping of the bpp125 triple mutant, which has defective pavement cell morphogenesis. The proposed method will be useful for time-lapse non-destructive phenotyping of plant surface structures and is easier to use than the conversional methods that require fluorescent dye labeling or transformation with marker gene constructs and expensive microscopes such as the confocal laser microscope.

Anatomical Studies of the Foliar Epidermis and Petiole of some Lannea Species in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Aims: Leaf epidermal morphology and petiole anatomy of seven Lannea species namely; Lannea velutina, Lannea kerstingii, Lannea egregia, Lannea schimperii, Lannea acida, Lannea microcarpa, and Lannea edulis in Nigeria were investigated to provide new taxonomic characters that could help in proper identification and delimitation of the taxa.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, University of Jos, Nigeria between August 2020 and March 2021.
 Methodology: Transverse sections of petioles were cut using a rotary microtome and epidermal peels were made. Staining was done using Safranin and slides observed using a light microscope.
 Results: Stomatal distribution was hypostomatic except for L. velutina and L. edulis with amphistomatic distribution. Three stomata types are found; paracytic occurring in L. velutina, L. edulis and L. egregia, cyclocytic in L. schimperii and L. microcarpa and anomocytic in L. kerstingii and L. acida. Stomata index vary among taxa with L. egregia and L. acida having the highest (22.43%) and lowest (12.17%) respectively. The epidermal cell shape was polygonal in all the species and anticlinal wall patterns were straight to slightly curved. Unicellular/multicellular uniseriate trichomes were observed in L. schimperii, L. egregia and L. kerstingii distinguishing them from other species. Petiole outlines were circular to oval, epidermis was uniseriate and vascular bundles are collateral. Presence of continuous sclerenchyma rings surrounding the vascular bundles in L. kerstingii and L. microcarpa serve as a distinguishing character. Other distinguishing characters are presence of crystals, druses and phenolic idioblasts. A taxonomic key was produced using the anatomical character as an aid to the identification of the species.
 Conclusion: Variations observed in the stomata types, petiole outline, petiole vasculature type, trichome type and stomata index could be employed for species identification and delimitation.

Characterization of lemma and palea in nine different species of Eragrostis (Poaceae)

Eragrostis, the largest genus in tribe Eragrostideae has 36 species in India and with 406 species in the world. The present study investigates the morphological and micromorphological variations of lemma and palea in nine species of the Eragrostis, collected from Panchmahal and Dahod districts of Gujarat. Qualitative and quantitative features of microharis, and epidermal cells in the different regions, apex middle and base of lemma and palae has been observed. Apart from this, undulation patterns also play a key role in species identification. Two major types of undulation pattern ∩ and Ω have been observed in the studied species. The present study concludes that, different types of microhairs, size and shape of epidermal cells and its undulating pattern can be significantly used in delimitation of Eragrostis with the help of all the qualitative and qualitative characteristic features it was possible to prepare a dichotomous key to identify the nine different species of Eragrostis.

Taxonomic significances of seed morphology in some tribes of subfamily Malvoideae (Malvaceae) in Saudi Arabia

In this study, we evaluated the taxonomic significance and seed macro and micromorphological characteristics of 28 species belong to eight genera of subfamily Malvoideae (Malvaceae) from Saudi Arabia. The genotypes were studied using light and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Macro- and micromorphological characters of the seeds are presented, including shape, color, size, hairs, surface pattern, epidermal cell shape, anticlinal boundaries, and periclinal cell wall. The taxonomic and phylogenetic implications of seed coat micromorphology were compared with those of the available gross morphological and molecular data (ISSR and SCOT). Seed character analysis offered useful data for evaluating the taxonomy of Malvoideae on both intrageneric and tribal levels. Monophyly of the genera Abutilon, Malva and Pavonia was supported. Moreover, these analyses supported previous phylogenetic data, indicating that distinct lines are present within the genus Hibiscus and Sida, indicating that these genera are not monophyletic. A key is provided for identifying the investigated taxa based on seed characters

Characterization of anatomical foliar epidermal features of herbaceous flora of Tilla Jogian, Pakistan by using light microscopy techniques

In current study, 22 herbaceous plant specimens have been examined with the help of light microscope to carry out leaf epidermal anatomy. Foliar micro-morphology of herbaceous plants from Tilla Jogian, Jhelum Pakistan was held first time. The plants were collected from different parts of Tilla Jogian at different elevations. The main objective of the study is to use this information as an aid in plant taxonomy. Significant variations were observed in both qualitative and quantitative features. With the help of microscopy significant variations in characters like stomata size, number, epidermal cell size, shape and number, guard cell size, trichomes, and subsidiary cells were recorded. On the basis of these findings, light microscopy of leaf epidermal anatomical features holds great interest for taxonomists to identify complete taxa. Foliar epidermal anatomy of herbaceous flora serves as baseline data along with taxonomical data and can be helpful in demarcation and limitation of nearly associated taxa to gain better use of anatomical characters.

Anatomical characterization of 18 commercially important varieties of Phoenix dactylifera L. by using microscopy

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is an important traditional crop having socioeconomic values. To best of literature review and our knowledge, there is a gap of taxonomic study on the role of morpho-anatomical features of date palm for correct identification of its varieties. With the advancement in the field of microscopy, anatomical features are considered very effective taxonomical markers. The present study was aimed to analyze the taxonomic variations using leaf epidermal anatomy and to highlight the importance of leaf epidermis to resolve identification ambiguities among the different varieties of date palms. The study includes analysis of leaf epidermal anatomy of 18 different commercial varieties of date palm collected from different areas of Pakistan. A diverse range of shape and size of epidermal cells, subsidiary cells, guard cells, stomata, stomatal pore was observed on abaxial as well as adaxial among studied date palm varieties via LM and found to be very helpful tool in discrimination of varieties. The shape of epidermal cells on both abaxial and adaxial surfaces varies including elongated, irregular, polygonal, curved, and spherical or sometime mixed of these. The values of stomatal indices on both surfaces showed wide variations.

Struktur Sel Epidermis Dan Stomata Aegiceras corniculatum D dan Rhizophora apiculata pada Muara Sungai Desa Poka dan Desa Leahari

Research has been carried out to determine the cell structure of the epidermis and stomata in some mangrove plants in the species Aegiceras corniculatum and Rhizophora apiculata. Descriptive method is used to describe the cell structure of the epidermis and stomata of Aegiceras corniculatum and Rhizophora apiculata and quantitative leaves to calculate the number of stomata, number of epidermis and stomata index based on nail polish on the cross section of epidermal cells on the lower underside of the leaf using a light microscope, while the incision longitudinal to determine leaf thickness between the upper epidermis and the lower epidermis. The results showed that the two mangrove species that grow in the mouth of the Poka and Leahari villages namely Aegiceras corniculatum and Rhizophora apiculata were found to have the same anatomical structure and leaf anatomical characteristics in terms of the shape of epidermal cells, rectangular, octagonal, elongated, and irregular. Aegiceras corniculatum and Rhizophora apiculata have anomositic stomata type because neighboring cells surround the stomata and have the same shape as epidermal cells. Mangrove species in the river estuary of Poka Village have higher number of stomata and smaller epidermal size and lower stomata index than mangrove species in Leahari Village due to the influence of the shade.
 
 Keywords: Aegiceras corniculatum, Rhizophora apiculata, Epidermal cells,

Foliar epidermal anatomy and its taxonomic implications within the family Euphorbiaceae in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Micro-morphological investigations of the foliar epidermal anatomy of seven species of the family Euphorbiaceae: Acalypha hispidia Burm. f., A. wilkesiana Mull. Arg, Euphorbia heterophylla L., E. hirta L., Jatropha curcas L., J. gossypifolia L. and Manihot esculenta Crantz was carried out to assess the systematic relevance of epidermal features, stomata and trichome diversity within the family using light microscope and camera. Members of this family contain many important medicinal herbs and there has been increasing misidentification of species in this family. Leaf micro-morphological characteristics are commonly used in the identification and authentication of plants. Results showed that the stomatal index varied from species to species. Epidermal cell shapes were found to be irregular to polygonal on both surfaces of the species. The epidermal cells possess straight to undulating anticlinal walls but in some few cases exhibited wavy to straight anticlinal walls. The presence of papillae was observed to be a unique character of E. heterophylla among the species studied. The stomatal types observed were Anisocytic, Anomocytic, Diacytic, tetracytic, paracytic, and actinocytic. The stomatal complex was mainly amphistomatic except for A. wilkesiana that was hypostomatic. The hypostomatic character of A. wilkesiana as reported in this paper is the first of such report as previous report found was amphistomatic. Non-glandular, multiseriate uniseriate and in some cases branched trichome types were observed only on both surfaces of A. wilkesiana and E. hirta but absent on all other studied species. This study revealed detailed descriptive micromorphological structures which could serve as a source of information and reference for the taxonomic description, identification and delineation of the species studied.