Anatomical studies of leaf and stem on Ornithogalum (Hyacinthaceae) in Iran

Abstract

In this study, leaf and stem (scape) anatomy of 11 species of the genus Ornithogalum (Hyacinthaceae) in Iran were studied. Plant samples were collected and then fixed and handmade cross-sections of leave were prepared and stained with methyl green and carmine. Several slides were studies and photographed with light microscope (LM). Various anatomical characters such as: general shape of stem in transverse section, thickness- number and shape of cell layers of epidermal, sclerenchymateous-cortical parenchyma, number and thickness of vascular bundles of stem and thickness, number and shape of cell layer of epidermal, mesophylle, number and thickness of vascular bundles of leaves, number of lacunae and index of stoma from both upper and lower epidermis were compared among species. Anatomical characters consisted of shape of stem, thickness and number of cortical sclerenchymateous, vascular bundles of stem, mesophylle, lacunae and index of stoma which were all useful characters in comparative anatomy. The leaf anatomical features of the genus Ornithogalum were relatively reliable in specific level.

Keywords

• Hyacinthaceae
• Ornithogalum
• Stem and Leaf anatomy