Comparative Anatomy on Leaves of the Annonaceae

The leaf form and structure of 93 species and 2 varieties of Annonaceae were comparatively studied with the help of scanning electron microscope, epidermal maceration and paraffin section method. The results showed that the anatomical feathers of the family revealed a remarkable consistency. The leaf surface of Annonaceae are covered with induments, most epidermal cells contained one crystal, the stomatal apparatus are paracytic with 2 to 6 subsidiary cells and distribute on abaxial epidermis, the arrested stomata are found in every species, and the mesophyll tissues contained oil cells. However, the pattern of trichomes, the shape of epidermal cells and the type of crytals in epidermal cells and the structures of mesophyll tissue varies obviously with species and genera.