LEAF MICROMORPHOLOGY IN GENUS Alpinia (ZINGIBERACEAE)

Abstract

Leaf epidermal characteristics are important for phylogenetic and taxonomic studies of many plants. Among the family Zingiberaceae, Alpinia recorded as the largest genus. The objective of this study was to identify the leaf micromorphological characteristics of the genus Alpinia that can be used in species identification, as supportive data in classification and also to determine the taxonomic value of their micromorphological characters. In fact, genus Alpinia has less study in Malaysia and required more supporting data for species identification. Studies have been carried out on eight species of Alpinia which are Alpinia assimilis, A. javanica, A. ligulata, A. malaccensis, A. mutica, A. pahangensis, A. petiolata and A. rafflesiana. Characters such as epidermal cell shape, trichomes and stomatal type and distribution were observed. Result from this study shows that all the species studied are amphistomatic which is stomata presence in both abaxial and adaxial surface of leaf. All the stoma in the species studied is tetracytic. Trichomes on leaf surface only can be found in A. assimilis, A. malaccensis, A. rafflesiana and A. pahangensis. All the trichome possessed simple and unicellular type. In conclusion, study on leaf micromorphological in genus Alpinia have taxonomic significance and can be used in species identification and classification especially in species level.