Epidermal Features of Leaves and Their Taxonomic Significance in Subfamily Ophiopogonoideae (Liliaceae)

Dai Lun-Kai, Liang Song-Yun

Received:1900-01-01 Revised:1900-01-01 Online:1991-07-10 Published:1991-07-10
Contact: Dai Lun-Kai

Abstract:

This paper reports epidermal features of leaves in Ophiopogonoideae. Thirty-nine

species and one variety (29 species, 1 variety in Ophiopogon, 6 species in Liriope, 4 species

in Peliosanthes)were examined under scanning electron microscope. In addition, transections

of stomatal apparatuses of six species (Ophiopogon: 3 species; Liriope: 2 species;

Peliosanthes: 1 species) were made and examined under light microscope.

The stomatal apparatus in Liriope, Ophiopogon and Peliosanthes is of the anomocytic

type. These types of epidermal features of leaves in these genera are recognized: Cuticular

processes type, No cuticular processes type and No stomatal band type. The cuticular

processes type can be further divided into three patterns: Fibrillose, Massive and

Wrinkled-massive. The taxonomic value of the epidermal features of leaves in

Ophiopogonoideae is rather evident. (1)These epidermal features can be used to distinguish

among those species of Ophiopogon, Liriope and Peliosanthes, even in their vegetative state;

(2) The different patterns of cuticular processes are helpful to reasonable classification of

some species in Ophiopogon, (3)They are of great value for recognizing some sections, (4)

These epidermal features of leaves also provide evidence for further discussion on relation-

ships among Ophiopogon, Liriope, and Peliosanthes.

The evolutionary trend of the epidermal features of leaves in Ophiopogonoideae

is No stomatal band type→No cuticular process type(stomatal band)→Cuticular process

type (stomatal band). According to the epidermal features of leaves, flowers and

fruits, Ophiopogon, Liriope and Peliosanthes are closely related, forming a subfamily

Ophiopogonoideae. Ophiopogon is more close to Liriope than to Peliosanthes, and they

should be grouped into the same tribe-Ophiopogoneae. Liriope seems to be more prim-

itive than Ophiopogon. Peliosanthes, which constitutes another tribe of its own-

Peliosantheae, is more advanced than Ophiopogon and Liriope, and it might have been

derived from its ancestor early.

Key words: Ophiopogonoideae, Ophiopogoneae, Peliosantheae, Ophiopogon Liriope, Peliosanthes, leaf epidermis, taxonomy.

Dai Lun-Kai, Liang Song-Yun. Epidermal Features of Leaves and Their Taxonomic Significance in Subfamily Ophiopogonoideae (Liliaceae)[J]. .

[1]	CHEN Wen-Hong, SHUI Yu-Min. Peliosanthes pachystachya，a new species of the Liliaceae from Yunnan，China [J]. , 2003, 41(5): 489-491.
[2]	LUO Yan, ZHOU Zhe-Kun. Leaf epidermis of Quercus subgen. Cyclobalanopsis (Oerst.) Schneid. (Fagaceae) [J]. , 2001, 39(6): 489-501.
[3]	ZHANG Zhi-Yun, LU Bao-Rong, WEN Jie. The Structural Features of Leaf Epidermis in Oryza and Their Systematic Significance [J]. , 1998, 36(1): 8-18.
[4]	Liang Song-Yun, Dai Lun-Kai. Pollen Morphology and Generic Phylogenetic Relationships in Ophiopogonoideae (Liliaceae) [J]. , 1992, 30(5): 427-437.
[5]	Chao Chi-Son, Chu Cheng-De. A Study on the Genus Acidosasa of Bambusoideae [J]. , 1991, 29(6): 517-524.
[6]	Pan Kai-Yu, Lu An-Ming, Wen Jie. Characters of Leaf Epidermis in Hamamelidaceae (s. l.) [J]. , 1990, 28(1): 10-26.

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