Abstract

Microscopic examination of five species of genus Pennisetum was carried out from Pakistan. The investigation of the species was based on the evidence from the epidermal leaf anatomy (LM and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and elemental dispersive spectrophotometer analysis. Leaf epidermal anatomy of the selected species showed variation in size and shape of stomatal cells, micro and macro hairs, trichomes, silica bodies, hooks, papillae and long cells. Leaf epidermal anatomy proved a significant tool for the identification and classification in systematics. Energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) emerged as a new taxonomic tool in the classification of the selected species and was done first time for the genus Pennisetum.

Key words: Systematic anatomy, energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), Pennisetum.