LEAF ANATOMICAL AND MICROMORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS OF SOME MALAYSIAN PARASHOREA (DIPTEROCARPACEAE)

The leaf anatomy of the genus Parashorea from Malaysia was investigated to determine the taxonomic value of their leaf anatomical and micromorphological characters. In this study eight species representative of Parashorea were selected. Results from this study showed that glandular trichomes consisting of 2−16 cells, and simple, unicellular and tufted trichomes were found to be present in all Parashorea species, indicating that the presence of these types of trichomes are of taxonomic value for this genus. However, the number of trichome cells is of little taxonomic value. The presence of papillose epidermal cells and the type of stomata ornamentation can be diagnostic and used to identify some species. Similarities in most of the leaf anatomical characters such as the cyclocytic stomatal complex, straight to curved anticlinal epidermal walls adaxially and abaxially and the outline of leaf margins throughout the genus show a well-defined botanical group in Parashorea.