Light and scanning electron microscopy‐based foliar morpho‐anatomical comparison of selected family Rosaceae members distributed in District Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

• Published in: Microscopy research and technique 2022-04, Vol.85 (4), p.1597-1610
• Main Authors: Shaheen, Shabnum, Sharifi‐Rad, Javad, Ali, Muhammad, Shamim, Zeeshan, Rasool, Bilal, Ashfaq, Muhammad, Mukhtar, Hanan, Harun, Nidaa, Hanif, Uzma, Siddique, Riffat
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: foliar anatomy; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; morpho‐anatomical characterization; Pakistan; Plant Epidermis; Plant Leaves; Plant Stomata; Rosaceae; scanning electron microscopy; silica bodies; trichomes
• ISSN: 1059-910X; 1097-0029; 1097-0029
• DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24021

In the present study morpho‐anatomical characterization of selected Rosaceae members distributed in District Lahore was performed. Light and scanning electron microscopy was used for systematic characterization of the selected 19 species. Distinguished morpho‐anatomical features such as size and shape of epidermal cells, size and type of stomatal cells, size and shape of trichomes, oil droplets, and silica bodies were contrasted. Results reported remarkable variations which could be taxonomically useful in identification of these members. Polygonal epidermal cells were observed in Eriyobotraya japonica, Potentilla bifurca, Potentilla supina, and Prunus amygdalus. However, Prunus cerasus possessed irregular‐shaped epidermal cells that can be distinguished from hexagonal epidermal cells of Prunus persica. Similarly, stomatal type varied among some members. Paracytic or perisocytic stomata were observed in E. japonica whereas P. bifurca observed paracytic and anisocytic stomata. Lengths of guard cells were also of variable sizes. The average length of guard cells ranged from 53 (52–54) μm to 74 (73–75) μm in abaxial view. Potentilla supina had biggest, while Rosmarinus officinalis had tiny guard cells. Trichomes were tubular, stellate, cylindrical, ribbon‐like, glandular, and nonglandular. Silica bodies in the present investigation were bilobed, rounded, and oval‐shaped. It is inferred that diverse anatomical features proved to be valuable taxonomic tools that could be fruitfully helpful in identification of plants at specific as well as generic level. Insignificant taxonomic work has been reported on specific plants of family Rosaceae with special reference to their foliar anatomy in District Lahore. Therefore, current study provides valuable identification tools for the selected species of Rosaceae based on the light and scanning electron microscopic studies. Morpho‐anatomical foliar studies have proven that these parameters can act as an identification tools along with the other taxonomic markers for recognition and delimitation of the plant taxa.