Characters of Leaf Epidermis and Their Systematic Significance in Smilacina

Epidermal characters of mature leaves in 12 species were investigated under both light microscope(LM) and scanning electron microscope(SEM).It was shown that the stomata were irregular and existed in abaxial epidermis in all the species examined,and in the adaxial epidermis in some species.The leaf epidermal cells were usually irregular or polygonal in shape.The patterns of anticlinal walls were slightly straight,sinuolate or sinuous.Under SEM,the inner margin of the outer stomatal rim was nearly smooth,sinuolate or sinuous,and the outicular membrane of the leaf epidermis was stripe,sometimes stripe apophysis,occasionally granules,druse.Stomatal and other epidermal features can be used for distinguishing some species.