Study on the Leaf Epidermal Micromorphology of 14 Species in Oleeae

Leaf epidermal micromorphology of 14 species representing 5 genera of Oleeae(Oleaceae) from China were examined using light microscopy(LM) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM).The results indiated that:(1) The shapes of leaf epidermal cells in Oleeae were usually irregular or polygonal;The number of glandular opaque spot in abaxial epidermis was larger than that of adaxial epidermis.Chionanthus retusus had not gland in adaxial epidermis;Only the abaxial epidermis had stomata.The shapes of the stomata were round oval.The type of stomatal apparatuses in Oleeae were all irregular.The cuticular membrane periphery of stomatal apparatus was radiated,strip,circularity and granulated;(2) The characters of stomatal apparatuse and leaf epidermal cells had obvious differences among species,so they could serve as one of the criteria to identify species of Oleeae;(3) There were many common characteristics on leaf epidermal micromorphology,so we suggest Oleeae is a separate natural group.These characters provided references for division and identification of genera and species,systematic evolution relationships of Oleeae.