Open AccessComparative Leaf Anatomy of Selected Medicinal Plants in Acanthaceae
Author(s) -
Che Nurul Aini Che Amri,
Nur Shuhada Tajudin,
Rozilawati Shahari,
Fatin Munirah Azmi,
Noraini Talip,
Abdul Latiff Mohamad
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
international medical journal malaysia/iium medical journal malaysia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.139
H-Index - 9
eISSN - 2735-2285
pISSN - 1823-4631
DOI - 10.31436/imjm.v17i2.944
Subject(s) - acanthaceae , petiole (insect anatomy) , lamina , andrographis paniculata , trichome , botany , vascular bundle , biology , plant morphology , taxon , medicine , traditional medicine , pathology , genus , alternative medicine
Comparative leaf anatomy study were conducted in three taxa of Acanthaceae from peninsular Malaysia. Three chosen taxa were Acanthus ebracreatus (Vahl), Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees and Chroesthes longifolia (Wight) B. Hansen which is commonly used as traditional medicine especially in peninsular Malaysia. The main objective is to identify the leaf anatomical characteristics that can be used in plant identification and also for supportive data in plant classification. The procedures involved such as cross section using sliding microtome on the petiole, lamina, midribs and marginal, leaf clearing and observation under light microscope. Results have shown the similarities and variations in leaf anatomical characteristics. The anatomical characteristics observed include petiole and midrib outlines, patterns of petiole and midrib vascular bundles, presence of cystolith cells, presence of hypodermis layers in lamina and presence and types of trichomes. In conclusion, results showed that anatomical characteristics have taxonomic significance that can be used in classification especially at species level.