Leaf Anatomy of Four Bambusa Species

Abstract

Leaf anatomy of bamboos is known to have many representative diagnostic characters can be utilized for taxonomic purposes. This study aims to find out anatomical features that can be used as diagnostic characters in compiling systematics of Bamboo. Four species of Bambusa, namely Bambusa blumeana, Bambusa maculata, Bambusa striata, and Bambusa vulgaris were used in this study. Leaves were observed using the Light Microscope (LM) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Anatomical feature observed in the epidermis such as silica bodies, bulliform cells, stomata and three types of trichomes, namely prickles, bicellular micro hair, and peltate hair. In addition, mesophyll consisting of translucent fusoid cells and plicate cells with the number of rows and shapes varying between species.

Distribution of silicon in different organ of bamboo (Gigantochloa apus (Schult. & Schult.) Kubz ex Munro)

“…Silica cells in bamboo plants are found in the upper and bottom layer of their epidermis. The silica cells are rectangular in shape with walls curled inward [14].…”