Variability of the structure of leaf epidermis of flowering plants with striated surface ornamentation

Abstract

For 22 species of flowering plants belonging to 20 genera and 17 families, data on the structure of the lower leaf epidermis with striated surface ornamentation were obtained. It is composed of mediumsized cells (66.7 % of species) or large cells (33.3 %). Stomatal index is often very small — small (66.7 % of species) and average (27.8 %). 1 mm² of tissue area is characterized by very low — average number of stomata (94.4 % of the species). They belong mainly to anomocytic type (83.3 %). General and coherent variability of the structural characters of this epidermal tissue is estimated. The obtained data are compared with data on the variability of leaves with smooth surface. Epidermis with folded relief was found to be more monotonous in its structure. It is characterized by a lower value of the coefficient of variation and determination of its characters. Refs 29. Figs 5.

Keywords:

leaf, epidermis, variability, relief of the epidermal surface