Foliar anatomy on twelve genera of Bignoniaceae (Lamiales)

The foliar anatomy of the 12 genera (16 species) of Bignoniaceae found in West Africa was studied and compared. Observations were carried out by light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Across the family, anatomical characters found to be most useful are: stomata type, trichomes in the adult material, presence of peristomatal folds, type of sinuosity of epidermal anticlinal wall, veinlet termination number, cuticular striation, presence of sclerenchymatous idioblasts in the mesophyll, presence of hypodermis, presence of sclerenchymatous fibres in the ground parenchyma and presence of collenchyma in the outer tissue of petiole. These characters have been used in a key to the species.