Taxonomic Implications of Foliar Epidermal Characteristics with Special Reference to Stomatal Variations in the Genus Artemisia (Asteraceae)

The systematic associations between the individual species of genus Artemisia have been very divisive and need all over revisions and investigations. In continuation to our preceding papers, at this time we account the taxonomic importance of foliar epidermal cells characteristics along with stomatal diversity in the 24 taxa of the genus Artemisia by using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. In addition to previously studied anomocytic and anisocytic stomatal types, here we report four new types of stomata (anomotetracytic, paratetracytic, diacytic & paracytic) first time in the genus Artemisia. Detail of variations in epidermal cells, of both abaxial and adaxial surfaces, of leaves was also given in relation to the taxonomy of the genus and it was found that most of the Seriphidium spp. have elongated smooth wall cells while other Artemisia spp., have wavy margined irregular shape cells with few exceptions. This study also indicates that foliar epidermal anatomical characteristics are valuable taxonomic traits, which can be utilized to address the taxonomic issues within the genus. © 2010 Friends Science Publishers