Abstract

The study was aimed to investigate systematic potential of foliar epidermal characters in species identification and delimitation. 18 species of summer grasses from tribe Andropogoneae (Poaceae) from Hindukush-Himalayas (HKH) were evaluated for variations in both the adaxial and abaxial epidermis. The results reveal that certain features of the leaf epidermis are significant in differentiating closely related taxa. For instance variations were found in the shape and wall sinuosity of long cells, papillae, micro hairs size and abundance, stomatal size, shape of subsidiaries, presence and abundance of intercostal short and silica cells, arrangement and type of costal silica bodies and the distribution of prickles, among different species. Keys for identification have been provided for authentic identification even at vegetative stages. It was concluded that characters of the foliar epidermis are diagnostic and ensure more authentic identification when coupled with morphological features.

Key words: Andropogoneae, foliar epidermis, micromorpholgy, papillae, poaceae, stomata, systematics.