LEAF XEROMORPHIC ADAPTATIONS IN AELUROPUS LAGOPOIDES FROM ECOSYSTEM OF THE CHOLISTAN DESERT (PAKISTAN)

Since last many decades, leaf epidermises have been given due importance in taxonomy especially of Poaceae family. The current study was designed to study the leaf epidermal traits by macroscopic and microscopic techniques. These grasses were collected from the various localities of the Cholistan desert, Pakistan. The selected plants were examined both abaxial and adaxial epidermal layers of a particular species. The study was aiming at evaluate determine the pattern of differences in epidermal morphology for appraisal of their importance in plant identification and classification. The most important features were the frequency of occurrence, morphological form and presence of silica bodies, short cells, long cells and prickles. By using sharp scalpel blade, both the abaxial and adaxial epidermal layers along with discrete mesophyll cells were removed keeping leaf on smooth hard tile. In almost all sample of plant species, enlarged long cells were found with anticlinal walls typically undulated and thickened, but not elevated, in relation to the periclinal walls.