Scanning electron microscopic study of leaf surface of some species of Hopea Roxb. (Dipterocarpaceae): implications for taxonomy

Abstract

Since more than two decades, the taxonomy of Hopea has been a point for discussion. Time to time, various taxonomists have tried to classify the species of Hopea on the basis of morphological and anatomical characters. This type of controversy can be solved by the study of various disciplines. Among them, the Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) study may be taxonomically useful to resolve the controversies over the classification of the genus Hopea . The SEM study was carried out in Hopea of Sri Lanka. The result of SEM indicates that the two taxa ( Hopea jucunda ssp. jucunda and H. jucunda ssp. modesta) possess different epicuticular appearance justifying to upgrade the subspecies of H. jucunda to species level. Key words : epicuticular wax; SEM; stomata; trichome. DOI: 10.3126/botor.v6i0.2919 Botanica Orientalis - Journal of Plant Science (2009) 6: 106-108