Anatomical Studies on the Genus Terminalia L. (Combretaceae) in Egypt I- Leaf Structure

Abstract

Terminalia in Egypt is represented by nine species. The locations of the different collected species were georeferenced with a GPS device. The samples were identified at the Cairo University Herbarium (CAI). Anatomical sections were investigated with a light microscope; Olympus BX51. Photomicrographs were taken using photomicroscope; Olympus DP12. Twenty-four anatomical characters have significant diversity. In leaf, type of mesophyll, length of palisade tissue, number and size of the main and accessory vascular bundles, presence or absence of vascular bundles in small veins as well as lysigenous ducts and crystals. In petiole, the number, shape and distribution of the main and accessory vascular bundles, types of bundle sheath, number of lysigenous ducts, etc. Qualitative and quantitative data of the anatomical characters have been investigated through numerical method by using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA). An artificial key was constructed that could be a taxonomic delimitation for comparison between species. This Study proposed that anatomical features of leaf lamina and petiole of Terminalia species investigated should be used as an effective delimitation for authentication and differentiation between the species.