Leaf Architecture of Philippine Shorea species (Dipterocarpaceae)

The leaf architecture of ten Shorea species (Dipterocarpaceae) was studied. A dichotomous key was constructed based mainly on the leaf architecture character states that were measured and described. The most useful character to delineate these Shorea species is on areolation. Other useful characters are blade class, laminar ratio, base angle, apex angle, base shape, apex shape, vein spacing and vein angle. These morphometrics showed unifying and distinguishing diagnostic character states that are good taxonomic markers for the description and identification of Shorea species in the Philippines.