Leaf architecture in some Euphorbiaceae
Sarala C. Tadavi and Vijay V. Bhadane*
*Department of Botany, Pratap College, Amalner-425401, (India) E-mail: bhadanevv2009@rediffmail.com
ABSTRACT
The present study deals with the leaf architectural study of 44 species distributed over 20 genera of the Euphorbiaceae to provide comprehensive account on the leaf architecture of Euphorbiaceae and its taxonomic significance. The leaves are simple except in Anda and Hevea where leaves are 3-5 foliate. The leaf shape, apex, base, number of areoles and vein endings entering the areoles are species specific. Major venation pattern is pinnate-craspedodromous, pinnatecamptodromous with brochidodromous, weak brochidodromous, festooned brochidodromous, eucamptodromous and reticulodromous secondaries and actinodromous. The highest degree of vein order is up to 6º. Quantitative parameters like the numbers of secondary veins, areoles and vein endings per unit area have using analyzed. The veinlets terminations are mostly conventional tracheids or occasionally dilated. The presence of bundle sheath is common around 1º to 5º veins. Leaf architectural characteristics such as presence of major venation categories, nature of marginal ultimate venation, areoles, presence or absence of bundle sheath and type of leaf margins are found to the helpful in delimiting the taxa study.