Stomata in Vitaceae and taxonomy of Leea

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Leea indica 16.JPG

Foliar epidermal features of Vitaceae and taxonomic position of Leea

by Kannabiran B., Pragasam A. (1994)

Pondicherry Univ., India

in J. Indian bot. Soc. 73. 81-87. –

Line drawings: hairs, stomata, T.S. of leaf. 10 spp. Cayratia (2 spp.), Cissus (5), Leea, Tetrastigma, Vitis. Stomatal density, stomatal and hair types.

http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=3637167

Abstract

The present investigation brings out the foliar epidermal features of 10 species belonging to 5 genera of Vitaceae.

Leaves of 5 species are amphistomatic whereas those of the remaining species are hypostomatic.

Four stomatal types viz. aniso-, anomo-, cyclo- and tetracytic, are encountered in the study. Predominance of tetra-, anomo- and cyclocytic stomata and low frequency of stomata characterise all the species, except Leea.

On the contrary, Leea indica is distinguished by higher stomatal frequency and predominance of anisocytic stomata. Druse idioblasts occur in L. indica (both surfaces) and Cissus repanda (adaxial).

C. rotundifolia possesses the druse and raphide idioblasts in the inner layer of biseriate epidermis. Mucilaginous idioblasts are seen only in C. setosa. Eight types of hairs have been reported in the present study.

Separation of Leea from Vitaceae is justified by the evidences from epidermal morphology and other disciplines of analysis.