Abstract:

Scanning electronic microscope (SEM) was used to examine leaf epidermal features of 4 species (or varieties) in Liriodendron. The results showed that the upper epidermal cells were irregular, sinuous and ripply, and covered with cuticle and wax. The lower epidermal cells were arranged in no regulation. The stomata were ellipse shape and distributed in lower epidermis. There were two crescent shaped guard cells and two reniform subsidiary cells around the stomata. The structure of leaf veins was also similar. On the other hand, the structure and shape of lower epidermal cells, the thickness and ornamentation of epidermal cuticles, and the density and size of stoma were micro—morphological differences among them. The leaf micro-morphological features had important effect on identifying the inter-species relationship of Liriodendron.