Leaf micromorphology of the genus Saxifraga (Saxifragaceae) in Iran

In this study, the micromorphological characteristics of the leaf epidermis of 14 species (28 samples) of the genus Saxifraga (Saxifragaceae) were examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Leaf samples were examined on both abaxial and adaxial surfaces. Based on the results, micromorphological traits such as the presence or absence of simple and glandular hairs, the presence or absence of verruca and granules on the hair surface, the position of hairs relative to the epidermis, the shape of epidermal cells, the anticlinal wall, the outer periclinal layer, epidermal surface pattern, wax ornamentation on the cuticle, the shape of the stomata and the distribution of wax on the cuticle, and stomata showed the most diversity. The result showed that micromorphological characters are taxonomically informative and can be used to identify species. Multivariate analysis was used to estimate the potential contribution of micromorphology data to inter- and intraspecific relationships using R software. The cluster and principal component analysis results showed that leaf morphological characters are useful for determining species boundaries.

Leaf micromorphology of the genus Saxifraga (Saxifragaceae) in Iran Keywords:

epicuticular wax , trichome , Saxifraga , scanning electron microscopy , multivariate analysis