| Abstract: | This paper reports epidermal features of leaves in Ophiopogonoideae. Thirty-ninespecies and one variety (29 species, 1 variety in Ophiopogon, 6 species in Liriope, 4 speciesin Peliosanthes)were examined under scanning electron microscope. In addition, transectionsof stomatal apparatuses of six species (Ophiopogon: 3 species; Liriope: 2 species;Peliosanthes: 1 species) were made and examined under light microscope. The stomatal apparatus in Liriope, Ophiopogon and Peliosanthes is of the anomocytictype. These types of epidermal features of leaves in these genera are recognized: Cuticularprocesses type, No cuticular processes type and No stomatal band type. The cuticularprocesses type can be further divided into three patterns: Fibrillose, Massive andWrinkled-massive. The taxonomic value of the epidermal features of leaves inOphiopogonoideae is rather evident. (1)These epidermal features can be used to distinguishamong those species of Ophiopogon, Liriope and Peliosanthes, even in their vegetative state;(2) The different patterns of cuticular processes are helpful to reasonable classification ofsome species in Ophiopogon, (3)They are of great value for recognizing some sections, (4)These epidermal features of leaves also provide evidence for further discussion on relationships among Ophiopogon, Liriope, and Peliosanthes. The evolutionary trend of the epidermal features of leaves in Ophiopogonoideaeis No stomatal band type→No cuticular process type(stomatal band)→Cuticular processtype (stomatal band). According to the epidermal features of leaves, flowers andfruits, Ophiopogon, Liriope and Peliosanthes are closely related, forming a subfamilyOphiopogonoideae. Ophiopogon is more close to Liriope than to Peliosanthes, and theyshould be grouped into the same tribe-Ophiopogoneae. Liriope seems to be more primitive than Ophiopogon. Peliosanthes, which constitutes another tribe of its ownPeliosantheae, is more advanced than Ophiopogon and Liriope, and it might have beenderived from its ancestor early. |
