Characters of Leaf Epidermis of Begonia (Begoniaceae) from China and Their Taxonomic Significance

Leaf epidermis of 52 species and two varieties representing seven sections of Begonia(Begoniaceae) from China were examined under light microscopy.The results showed that leaf epidermal characters of the genus revealed a remarkable consistency:the leaf epidermal cells were usually polygonal and subpolygonal bearing with straight or arched anticlinal walls;and the stomatal apparatus was mainly anisocytic type and presented in abaxial epidermis of all studied species.However,the multiple leaf epidermal characters,including the shape of epidermal cells,the pattern of epidermal hairs,the shape of stomatal apparatus,the type of crystals in epidermal cells and some distinct characters varies obviously with species,in particular among species allies.