Study of the leaf epidermis in some Egyptian taxa of Fagonia L. by SEM

Document Type : Research and Reference

Authors

Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science (Girls Branch), AL Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Leaf epidermis structure of 13 Fagonia taxa has been studied by Light microscope (LM) and
Scanning electron microscope (SEM). Anomocytic stomata type, different trichomes features,
cuticular ornamentation and stomatal levels are determined. Results allow clear definition and
identification of the taxa. Among all the studied characters, cuticle ornamentation and trichomes
features were noticeable to characterize each taxa of Fagonia.
The present studies recorded about 27 different trichomes,18 glandular, 8 non-glandular and one
special structure trichome. Some taxa were free from glandular trichomes and others were free
from non-glandular trichome beside the taxa which have the two types of the trichomes. Three
types of trichome ornamentation are recorded in these work; smooth, papillose and warty. The
cuticular ornamentation recorded three types’ favulariate, straiated and wrinked. On the basis of
observation we created a key for distinguishing Fagonia taxa.

Keywords