Comparative leaf anatomical studies of some Sterculia L. species (Sterculiaceae) |
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Authors: | KHATIJAH HAJI HUSSIN ZAHARINA MOHAMAT SANI |
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Affiliation: | Jabatan Botani, Fakulti Sains Hayat, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia |
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Abstract: | A comparative study was undertaken on the leaves of 12 Sterculia species in order to assess anatomical variations which may be useful in species identification and to evaluate their significance in the taxonomy of the genus. All species have glandular and non-glandular trichomes, anomocytic stomata, multiple and mucilaginous epidermis, mucilaginous cavities and druses in mesophyll tissues. A small amount of variation was observed in the outline of transverse sections of midribs and petioles, the presence of central vascular bundles, and the type of trichomes. Some characters, such as the vertically divided adaxial epidermis in S. macrophylla , are unique to certain species and are therefore useful in diagnostic characters, while S. coccinea and S. elongata appear to be similar in the structure of the petiole and midrib. The results, however, do not show any groupings of species and do not support the observations of others on groups derived from wood anatomy. |
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Keywords: | multiple epidermis trichomes |
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