Micromorphological investigation of foliar anatomy of Fagopyrum Mill., and Rumex L. of polygonaceae

Leaf epidermal studies have been carried out on eleven species belonging to Fagopyrum Mill., and Rumex L. of the family Polygonaceae. Comprehensive micromorphological studies of Fagopyrum Mill., and Rumex L. species have been made for the first time. The use of light microscopy has made possible in depth to study leaf surface features such as shape of epidermal cells, stomatal pattern, their distribution on adaxial and abaxial leaf surface and trichome types. Epidermal cell shapes are variable but generally polygonal. Five different stomatal patterns are reported for Polygonaceae. Variation among glandular and non glandular trichomes is also noted. Crystalliferous cells are recorded for the first time in Rumex nepalensis Spreng. This anatomical study has taxonomic importance, on the basis of which identification keys are prepared.