Stem and Leaf Anatomical Studies of Selected Species of Barlerieae and Ruellieae (Acanthaceae) from Yemen
Anisa S. Al-Hakimia b c d, Sarah Abdul Razakb d, N. Omare f, Abdulwahab A. Saeeda c, Shamsul Khamisg h, Abdul Latiffh
- aBiology Department , Faculty of Applied Science , Taiz University , Taiz , Yemen
- bInstitute of Biological Sciences , Faculty of Science , University of Malaya , 50603 Kuala Lumpur , Federal Territory , Malaysia
- cBiology Department, Faculty of Applied Science, Taiz University, Taiz, Yemen
- dInstitute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory, Malaysia
- eDepartment of Biology , Faculty of Art and Science , University of Benghazi , Al-Abiar Branch , Libya
- fDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Art and Science, University of Benghazi, Al-Abiar Branch, Libya
- gDepartment of Biological Science and Biotechnology , Faculty of Science and Technology , Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia , 43600 UKM Bangi , Selangor Darul Ehsan , Malaysia
- hDepartment of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Papers open inside SciRah from the original publisher or repository; SciRah never hosts them.
Abstract
The anatomy of stems and leaves of selected species of tribes Barlerieae and Ruellieae (Acanthaceae) was studied to assess the taxonomic significance of anatomical characteristics in the two tribes. The anatomical characters such as the outline of stems, midribs, petioles, margins, shape of epidermal cells, vascular bundles, stomata, anticlinal cells, cystoliths, aerenchyma cells, layer of wax, layer of hypodermis were observed and analysed. Type of trichomes observed on the leaf surface using Scanning Electron Microscopy and light microscope provides information of taxonomic significance to both tribes and the taxa within them. The trichomes vary from non-glandular (unicellular, bicellular, multicellular, and multiradiate) to capitate glandular. Abundance of long-stalked trichomes was recorded only in Neuracanthus aculeatus. Cystoliths of different size and position are present in epidermis, parenchyma and collenchyma in addition to oil cells in some genera. The placement of Neuracanthus among the recognized tribes of Acanthaceae is assessed using anatomical characters.