Stomata in Khaya (Meliaceae)

 

 

Taxonomy of medicinal plants I. Epidermal morphology of the genus Khaya (Meliaceae) in West Africa

by Olowokudejo J. D., Nyananyo B. L. (1990)

in Feddes Repertorium 101(7-8): 401–407 – doi:10.1002/fedr.19901010714 – 

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/fedr.19901010714/full

Abstract

Leaf epidermal morphology of four West African species of Khaya (Meliaceae) has been studied using both light and scanning electron microscopy.

The cuticle may be striate, reticulate or verrucose. Epidermal cells are either isodiametric or irregular in shape. The anticlinical walls are of variable thickness and their positions are marked by raised ridges or shallow irregular grooves. Periclinal walls may be flat, concave or convex.

Anomocytic stomata which are either superficial or slightly sunken occur in all taxa. Stomatal size and index are variable among all species.

A dichotomous key for identifying the species, even if they are in a fragmentary condition, is presented.

Stomata in Annona (dicots)

Photo credit: Google

Annona chrysophylla

Comparative Morphology of leaf epidermis in the genus Annona (Annonaceae) in West Africa

by Olowokudejo J. D. (1990)

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.

in Phytomorphology 40: 407-422 –

https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/19930324371

Abstract :

The possible use of microscopic characters of the epidermis as a means of distinguishing fragmentary material of 9 Annona species and varieties used for medicinal purposes in West Africa was investigated.

Under the scanning electron microscope, differences were seen in wax distribution (e.g. the geometric patterns formed in A. glauca vs. A. glabra and A. muricata, which were waxless), striations around stomata (e.g. the lateral wings of striae in A. glabra), and the appearance of cell walls (e.g. the prominent ridges of the anticlinal walls in A. glauca var. minor).

Under the light microscope, A. squamosa had prominently sinuate anticlinal walls, whereas in A. glabra, A. chrysophylla and A. muricata they were curved and in A. arenaria [A. senegalensis], A. senegalensis var. senegalensis and A. glauca they were straight.

The mean size of adaxial and abaxial cells ranged from 17.7 (A. squamosa) to 45.21 µm (A. glauca var. minor) and from 13.53 (A. squamosa) to 37.07 µm (A. muricata), respectively.

Paracytic stomata occurred in all species, on the abaxial surface only. The smallest and largest stomata were found in A. chrysophylla (mean size 10.66 × 4.63 µm) and A. glabra (mean size 33.45 × 21.22 µm), respectively.

Hairiness of the leaves varied from A. arenaria (dense hairs on the abaxial surface) to A. glauca and A. muricata (glabrous).

A key separating all 9 taxa was constructed on the basis of the light microscope observations only.

Stomata in Momordica L., Luffa Mill. and Trichosanthes L. (Cucurbitaceae)

 Akeen Babalola KADIRI

Systematic significance of foliar epidermis and tendril morphology in three West African genera of Cucurbitaceae: Momordica L., Luffa Mill. and Trichosanthes L.

by Kadiri A. B., Olowokudejo J. D. (2016)

in Webbia · January 2016 – DOI: 10.1080/00837792.2015.1108683 –

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/289512774_Systematic_significance_of_foliar_epidermis_and_tendril_morphology_in_three_West_African_genera_of_Cucurbitaceae_Momordica_L_Luffa_Mill_and_Trichosanthes_L

Figure 1. Leaf epidermal characters of West African species of Momordica. (A, C, E, G) Adaxial surfaces. (B, D, F, H) Abaxial surfaces. (A, B) Momordica angustisepala; (C, D) Momordica balsamina, a = stoma on the adaxial surface; (E, F) Momordica cabraei; (G, H) Momordica charantia.

Abstract

Momordica, Luffa and Trichosanthes are important cucurbitaceous plants whose foliar epidermal characters are sparsely documented.

A combined investigation of leaf epidermis and tendrils of the species was carried out with the aid of light and scanning electron microscopy, and visual assessment.

Figure 2. Leaf epidermal characters of West African species of Momordica. (A, C, E) Adaxial surfaces. (B, D, F) Abaxial surfaces. (A, B) Momordica cissoides; (C, D) Momordica foetida; (E, F) Momordica multiflora.

All Momordica species have hypostomatic leaves except M. balsamina whose leaves are amphistomatic. This adds to our knowledge of range of stomatal distribution in Momordica which hitherto, is reported hypostomatic. It also raises doubt about the naturalness of Sect. Momordica. Only M. multiflora is glabrous and M. angustisepala alone is pubescent on the epidermal surfaces.

Epidermis of Luffa is amphistomatic and non-cystolithic whereas, it is hypostomatic and cystolithic in Trichosanthes.

Tendrils branches arise from the base in Luffa (3–4 in number) and Trichosanthes (2–3 in number) whereas in Momordica they may not branch or are bifurcated, with one being vestigial.

These comparative data support classifying the three genera in separate tribes. In particular, characters of the leaf epidermis will assist in identifying the species even when the leaf samples are fragmentary, or when there is a mix-up, the usual state of herbal materials in the African markets.

Stomata in Uapaca (Euphorbiaceae)

Photo credit: Google

Uapaca togoensis

Comparative leaf epidermal morphology of five West African species of Uapaca baill (Phyllanthaceae pro forma Euphorbiaceae)

by Kadiri A. B., Ayodele A. E., Olowokudejo J. D., Uchemefuna D. (2013)

in Nigerian Journal of Botany 2013

– http://nijbot.org/?m=201309&paged=2

Foliar epidermal features of the species of Uapaca. A, B: U. heudelotii; C, D: U. paludosa; E, F: U. staudtii. Note the straight anticlinal wall and the polygonal cells. A,C, E: Adaxial surface and B, D, F: Abaxial surface. Bar scale is 50µm. – http://nijbot.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Images.jpg

ABSTRACT
The taxonomy of Euphorbiaceae was recently reviewed based on morphology and molecular data and more data are still being produced to enhance comprehension of the component taxa.

Therefore, in this study, we have contributed additional taxonomically useful data on the leaf epidermis of Uapaca which is now in the new family segregate, Phyllanthaceae of Euphorbiaceae by the means of light microscopy.

Generic constant features are polygonal cell shape, straight anticlinal wall pattern, hypostomatic leaf, paracytic and anomocytic stomata types.

Distinguishing characteristics are absence of anisocytic stomata in U.  staudtii, presence of pericytic stomata in U. heudelotii and U. paludosa and presence of tetracytic stomata in U. vanhouttei.

Other taxonomically useful features are possession of conical non-glandular trichomes in U. togoensis on both surfaces but which are restricted to the abaxial surface in U. vanhouttei as well as presence of crystals of calcium oxalate in U. staudtii and U. togoensis.

In the genus, the stomatal index ranges from 22.4% to 34%.

The taxonomic relationship is discussed and an artificial indented dichotomous key for separating the species is presented.

Read the full article: NJB

Stomata in Afzelia (Fabaceae)

 Photo credit: Scielo

Epidermis de las especies de Afzelia en Africa occidental. A. africana; A. pachyloba; A. bipindensis. b, d, f: superficie abaxial. Escala = 50µm.

Comparative foliar epidermal morphology of the West African species of the genus Afzelia (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae)

by Kadiri A. B., Olowokudejo J. D. (2008)

===

in Gayana Bot. 65(1): 84-92 –

ABSTRACT

The epidermal features of the leaves of the six West African species of Afzelia were examined and compared using light and scanning electron microscopy.

A. bracteata; A. bella var. bella; A. bella var. gracilior. b, d, f: superficie abaxial. Escala = 50µm. – http://www.scielo.cl/fbpe/img/gbot/v65n1/fig2-8.jpg

The leaves are hypostomatic in all species and stomatal type is paracytic. Anticlinal walls may be undulate or straight-curved and stomatal index ranges from 17.48% in A. bella var. gracilior to 25.20% in A. bipindensis. Porrect and flattened scales distinguish the infra-specific taxa of A. bella while presence of unicellular trichomes separates A. pachyloba from other species.

The leaf surface is entirely covered by epicuticular wax deposits and the stomata are either raised or sunken in the genus. Using these foliar epidermal characters, an artificial key has been prepared to facilitate identification of the species.

Read the full article: Scielo