Studies on the Epidermal Structure of Tingia carbonica

Two leafy specimens of Tingia carbonica were collected as impression from Shanxi formation of Permian, from Inner Mongolia, China. The epidermal structure of its leaves is reported in this paper. Under SEM, well preserved epidermal cells as well as some concaves on the surface of large leaves were clearly recognized. The epidermal cells are approximately rectangular in shape, about 100～150 um long and 20～30 um wide. They are arranged longitudinally parallel to veins. The concaves usually in rows are round or elliptical, about 0.65～0.35 mm long and 0.2～0.35 mm wide. Density of concaves is about 1.8/ mm² and no stomata occur inside the concaves. In all probability, this is the upper epidermis. On the other side of the epidermis, anomocytic stomata are scattered irregularly, each with 5～6 epidermal cells around. The stomatal apertures are about 35.8 µm long, and 18.7 um wide, which is organised parallel to the common epidermal cells. As far as shape and size is concerned, it is similar to that described on the upper epidermis. Density of the stomata is about 60/mm². In all Probability, this is the lower epidermis. The ecological preference and classification of Tingia are discussed according to these new characters of the epidermis andsubordinate struture of the leaf.