Comparative Morpho-Anatomical Investigation of Leaves of Triumfetta tomentosa Boj. and Triumfetta rhomboidea Jacq.

Abstract

The plant species Triumfetta tomentosa Boj. and Triumfetta rhomboidea Jacq using Standard procedures were investigated on morphological characters. The morphological assessment of the species revealed great similarities in their habit, indumentum, nature and type of stem and leaf apices. The differences were seen in their habitat and the number of flowers in the racemose inflorescence. In the foliar anatomy of the species, anisocytic stomata type, the presence of stellate trichomes on both surfaces and the presence of calcium crystals were common in both species. The differences existed in the amphistomatic distribution in T. rhomboidea and hypostomatic distribution in T. tomentosa. The number, length and width of the stomata, stomata pore and guard cells, the number, length and width of the epidermal cells of and the length of trichomes varied greatly in both species. A combination of morphological and anatomical data alongside others bring about authentication in the delimitation of taxa.