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Not. Bot. Hort. Agrobot. Cluj 36 (2) 2008, 7-16

Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici

Cluj-Napoca

Importance of Leaf Epidermal Characters in the Asteraceae Family

ADEDEJI O.1) , JEWOOLA O.A.1)
1)

Department of Botany, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

A comparative study of the leaf epidermis of twelve species in the Compositae (Asteraceae) family was undertaken in order
to document characters that are important in the taxonomy of the family. It was observed that trichomes can be successfully
used for the delimitation of genera within the family. Within each species however, there are varied assortment of trichomes
with occasional transitions among them. Launaea taraxacifolia was unique in being the only species without any trichome.
Stellate trichome type and K-shaped or tetraradiate trichomes were observed in Tridax procumbens only. The genus Vernonia
can be delimited from the other genera by the possession of T - shaped trichomes which are absent in the other genera, while
amoeboid-shaped trichomes can be found in the genus Chromolaena only. Within the same genus, the species can also be
delimited on the basis of possession of unique trichome types, for example in the genera Vernonia and Emilia. Cuticular
striations occur in only two species out of the twelve studied, on the abaxial surface of V. amygdalina and on both surfaces
of Bidens pilosa. Four stomatal types were recorded for the family, anomocytic, brachyparacytic, anisocytic and diacytic.
Stomatal type was observed to delimit not only at generic level, but also at specific or species level. Ageratum conyzoides and
Synedrella nodiflora are the only two species with occasional diacytic stomatal types. Results of the statistical correlation
analysis for stomatal size and stomatal index at the 0.05 and 0.01 levels revealed high positive correlation for species in the
same tribe, as well as for species in different tribes affirming close interrelationship and overlap of the values of stomatal indices
and sizes within the family. Foliar anatomical characters that justify the separation of Vernonia amygdalina and Vernonia
cinerea into separate tribes are highlighted.
Keywords: taxonomy, trichomes, stomata, Asteraceae

Introduction

The family Compositae (Asteraceae) is a very large cosmopolitan family. It is represented by 13 tribes, 84 genera
and over 240 species, (Adams, 1963). The family is highly
advanced, easily recognized and with worldwide distribution. The members of the family are largely woody herbs or
shrubs, a few are trees and climbing herbs (Olorode, 1984).
The leaves are simple, pinnately lobed in some species, alternate or opposite and prickly in some genera. The inflorescence is a capitulum, the flowers are either actinomorphic or zygomorphic. They may be hermaphroditic, male,
female or neuter. The inflorescence is surrounded by an
involucre of one (in Emilia and Crassocephalum) or more
series of free or connate bracts.
Many plants in the family Asteraceae are economically
important as weeds, ornamentals, medicinals and green
vegetables. Important weed species in this family include
Chromolaena odorata Linn. (which is widespread in the
disturbed areas of forests), Tridax procumbens Linn., Ageratum conyzoides Linn., Aspilia sp. (Pers.) C. D. Adams,

Melanthera sp. (Schum and Thonn). The ornamental species include Zinnia, Tagetes (marigold) and Helianthus annuus (sunflower). Some of the important vegetable species
are cultivated while others grow in the wild. They include
Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf ), Launaea taraxacifolia,
Crassocephalum crepidioides and Lactuca sativa (lettuce).
The seeds of Helianthus annuus yield oil. Some members
of the family are also known to be of ethnomedicinal uses
in Nigeria.
The taxonomic value of leaf epidermal characters is well
documented (Palmer and Gerbeth-Jones, 1986; Jayeola et
al., 2001; Adedeji and Illoh, 2004; Adedeji, 2004). Metcalfe and Chalk (1950) gave a sparse description of the general anatomy of the family Asteraceae. Given the available
information, the report on the family Asteraceae in Nigeria
is very scanty. The present study is therefore aimed at identifying, describing and documenting the leaf epidermal
characters that are diagnostic and taxonomically important
in the family Asteraceae occurring in Nigeria.

Adedeji, O. and O. A. Jewoola/ Not. Bot. Hort. Agrobot. Cluj 36 (2) 2008, 7-16

Materials and methods

For the purpose of this work, twelve species in the family Asteraceae were studied: Ageratum conyzoides Linn.,
Aspilia Africana (Pers.) C.D. Adams, Bidens pilosa Linn.,
Chromolaena odorata (Linn.) R.M. King and Robinson (=
Eupatorium odoratum L.), Emilia coccinea (Sims) G. Don,
Emilia praetermissa Milne-Redhead, Launaea taraxacifolia (Willd.) Amin ex C. Jeffrey., Synedrella nodiflora (L.)
Gaertn., Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.), Tridax procumbens
Linn., Vernonia amygdalina Del., Vernonia cinerea Linn.
The plant materials used for this investigation were collected from the wild in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Fully
matured leaves on plants at the flowering stage were collected for study. To obtain epidermal surfaces for studies,
portions of the leaf blade were boiled for about 25 minutes in 90% alcohol and placed in the oven at 60C to remove the chlorophyll. The leaf portions were then washed
in 4 to 5 changes of water after which they were boiled
in 5% Sodium Hydroxide Solution for about 20 minutes
as the materials became decolourised. They were washed
thoroughly in water to remove the alkaline solution. The
partly cleared portions of the leaves were finally cleared in
5% solution of domestic bleaching agent ( Jik) for about
30 minutes. The leaf portions were finally washed in 3-4
changes of water. The epidermal surfaces were stained in
1% aqueous safranin and mounted in glycerine for microscopic study. Terminologies of the stomatal complex types
used in this study are those of Dilcher (1974) and Metcalfe and Chalk (1988). Stomatal size was the product of
the length and breadth of the stoma. Stomatal Index was
determined as number of stomata per square millimeter/
number of stomata + number of epidermal cells per square
millimeter X 100 (Dilcher, 1974). Trichome description
was according to Metcalfe and Chalk (1979) and Inamdar
et al., (1990).
Results and discussion

Vernonia cinerea Linn.

Epidermal cells polygonal to slightly irregular in shape
with undulating to wavy anticlinal cell walls on adaxial
surface (Figure 1A), irregular to polygonal with sinuous
anticlinal walls on the abaxial surface (Figure 2A). Leaf
surface amphistomatic, stomata anomocytic to brachyparacytic and anisocytic, largely elliptic to circular in
shape; stomatal size adaxial 564.5 823.2m2, abaxial
392.0 768.3m2, stomatal index adaxial 6.5-13.7%,
abaxial 11.5-19.6%. Cuticular striations absent on both
surfaces.
Trichomes (Figures 3C, P; 4 G; 5 H, J, K; 6D, K)
Glandular and non-glandular trichome types present.
Non-glandular are the unicellular and the multicellular
types, some cell segments occasionally shriveled and regular T-shaped types often occur too. Glandular trichomes

Figure 1 Adaxial epidermal surface in the species of the family

Asteraceae
A. Vernonia cinerea
G. Tridax procumbens
B. Vernonia amygdalina
H. Chromolaena odorata
C. Aspilia africana
I. Ageratum conyzoides
D. Bidens pilosa
J. Synedrella nodiflora
E. Tithonia diversifolia
K. Emilia coccinea
F. Launaea taraxacifolia
L. Emilia praetermissa

are often sessile, occasionally capitate with unicellular head

and multicellular stalk.
Vernonia amygdalina Del.
Epidermal cells polygonal to irregular to occasionally
rectangular with wavy to undulating anticlinal walls on
adaxial surface (Figure 1B), largely irregular with deeply
sinuous anticlinal walls on the abaxial surface (Figure
2B). Leaf surface amphistomatic, stomata largely anomocytic, occasionally brachyparacytic (Figures 1B and 2B),
elliptic to circular in shape, stomatal size adaxial 768.3
-1058.4m2, abaxial 564.5-896.8m2, stomatal index
adaxial 5.6-10.2%, abaxial 13.9-21.7%. Cuticular striations absent on adaxial surface, present on abaxial surface.
Trichomes (Figures 3 J; 4 H, I; 5 I; 6 J, K)
Glandular and non-glandular trichome types present.
Non-glandular are bicellular, multicellular and irregular
T-shaped. Glandular trichomes are sessile largely, occasionally capitate with unicellular head and multicellular
stalk.

Table 1 Statistical correlation analysis for stomatal size (Adaxial Surface)

X2
X2
X3
X4
X5
X6
X7
X8
X9
X10
X11
X12
X13

X3

X4

X5

X6

X7

X8

X9

X10

X11

X12

X13

0.084

-0.056
-0.106

0.023
-0.091
-0.133

-0.352
0.349
0.042
0.072

-0.107
-0.402
0.154
0.021
-0.172

0.272
-0.093
-0.357
0.221
-0.386
0.001

-0.309
0.494*
-0.207
-0.109
0.124
0.299
0.086

-0.113
-0.118
0.008
0.591*
0.238
-0.338
-0.146
-0.071

-0.014
0.082
0.354
0.245
0.466*
0.123
-0.022
0.059
0.342

0.061
0.478*
0.281
-0.437
0.412
-0.161
0.474*
-0.299
-0.256
-0.132

0.082
0.521*
-0.283
0.374
0.194
-0.101
0.141
-0.231
-0.134
0.151
-0.235

Table 2 Statistical correlation analysis for stomatal size (Abaxial Surface)

X2
X2
X3
X4
X5
X6
X7
X8
X9
X10
X11
X12
X13
X2 - Ageratum conyzoides
X3 - Aspilia Africana
X4 - Bidens pilosa
X5 - Chromolaena odorata
X6 - Emilia coccinea
X7 - Emilia praetermissa

X3

X4

X5

X6

X7

X8

X9

X10

X11

X12

X13

-0.061

0.603*
-0.093

0.314
-0.002
-0.052

-0.017
-0.221
-0.253
0.576*

0.405
0.077
0.106
0.109
-0.286

-0.301
0.101
0.372
0.342
-0.061
-0.141

0.311
-0.297
-0.067
0.152
0.006
0.019
0.366

-0.101
0.145
0.331
0.136
-0.472
-0.124
0.231
-0.074

0.386
0.117
-0.027
0.651**
-0.362
0.019
0.498
0.482
0.247

-0.055
-0.462
-0.063
-0.101
0.389
-0.196
-0.228
-0.269
-0.121
-0.387

0.201
-0.041
-0.087
0.625*
0.635*
0.082
0.136
0.245
0.168
0.409
0.031

X8 - Launaea taraxacifolia
X9 - Synedrella nodiflora
X10 - Tithonia diversifolia
X11 - Tridax procumbens
X12 - Vernonia amygdalina
X13 - Vernonia cinerea

* Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level

** Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level

Table 3 Statistical correlation analysis for stomatal index (Adaxial Surface)

X2
X2
X3
X4
X5
X6
X7
X8
X9
X10
X11
X12
X13

X3

X4

X5

X6

X7

X8

X9

X10

X11

X12

X13

-0.008

0.106
-0.313

0.502*
-0.166
0.488*

-0.267
0.428
-0.267
-0.342

-0.161
-0.057
0.348
0.321
0.002

0.307
-0.076
-0.166
0.469*
0.048
-0.315

0.434
-0.111
0.001
0.555*
-0.123
0.103
0.158

-0.102
0.167
0.018
0.012
0.255
0.044
0.656**
0.317

0.461*
-0.371
0.222
0.219
0.467*
-0.176
0.095
0.151
0.107

0.631**
-0.139
-0.058
-0.201
-0.047
0.282
-0.003
-0.239
-0.027
-0.181

0.413
0.352
0.121
0.542*
-0.019
-0.308
-0.335
0.121
0.103
0.313
-0.158

Table 4 Statistical correlation analysis for stomatal index (Abaxial Surface)

X2
X2
X3
X4
X5
X6
X7
X8
X9
X10
X11
X12
X13
X2 - Ageratum conyzoides
X3 - Aspilia Africana
X4 - Bidens pilosa
X5 - Chromolaena odorata
X6 - Emilia coccinea
X7 - Emilia praetermissa

X3

X4

X5

X6

X7

X8

X9

X10

X11

X12

X13

0.266

-0.297
0.054

-0.277
-0.214
-0.138

0.414
0.446*
-0.195
-0.109

0.195
0.045
-0.262
0.334
0.347

-0.296
0.009
0.107
-0.096
-0.376
-0.343

0.181
0.111
0.501*
-0.394
-0.201
-0.221
-0.248

0.234
0.335
-0.343
-0.044
-0.186
0.449*
0.258
-0.104

0.482*
-0.241
0.014
0.067
0.156
0.054
-0.395
-0.111
0.484*

0.124
0.068
-0.113
-0.001
0.221
0.464*
-0.049
0.136
0.498*
-0.081

0.117
0.228
-0.103
-0.393
-0.058
-0.328
0.607**
-0.063
0.111
-0.264
0.244

X8 - Launaea taraxacifolia
X9 - Synedrella nodiflora
X10 - Tithonia diversifolia
X11 - Tridax procumbens
X12 - Vernonia amygdalina
X13 - Vernonia cinerea

* Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level

** Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level

Adedeji, O. and O. A. Jewoola/ Not. Bot. Hort. Agrobot. Cluj 36 (2) 2008, 7-16

11

Figure 1 Adaxial epidermal surface in the species of the family

Asteraceae
A. Vernonia cinerea
G. Tridax procumbens
B. Vernonia amygdalina
H. Chromolaena odorata
C. Aspilia africana
I. Ageratum conyzoides
D. Bidens pilosa
J. Synedrella nodiflora
E. Tithonia diversifolia
K. Emilia coccinea
F. Launaea taraxacifolia
L. Emilia praetermissa

Aspilia africana (Pers.) C.D. Adams

Epidermal cells polygonal to slightly irregular and rectangular with deeply undulating to sinuous anticlinal cell
walls on adaxial surface (Figure 1C), largely irregular with
anticlinal walls sinuous on the abaxial surface (Figure 2C).
Leaf surface amphistomatic, stomata largely anomocytic,
occasionally brachyparacytic and anisocytic (Figures 1C
and 2C), elliptic to circular in shape, stomatal size adaxial 313.6-768.3wwm2, abaxial 295.0-658.6m2; stomatal
index adaxial 8.5-13.3%, abaxial 19.2-22.8%. Cuticular
striations, absent on adaxial and abaxial surfaces.
Trichomes (Figures 3 D, F, G, L, R; 4 J; 5 A, C)
Glandular and non-glandular trichome types present.
Non-glandular are bicellular to multicellular, often with
long thin and pointed apical cells, occasionally short and
pointed too. Unique tetraradiate K or H-shaped non-glandular trichomes observed. Glandular trichomes absent.
Bidens pilosa Linn.
Epidermal cells rectangular to irregular shape with sinuous anticlinal cell walls on adaxial surface (Figure 1D),
irregular to polygonal with sinuous anticlinal walls on

Figure 3 Non-glandular trichome types in the family Asteraceae

A. Unicellular (long and narrow)
B. Spine-like
C-H. Different unicellular types (H is hooked)
I-N. Different bicellular types
O-T. Different multicellular types

the abaxial surface (Figure 2D). Leaf surface amphistomatic, stomata largely anisocytic to anomocytic, occasionally brachyparacytic (Figures 1D & 2D), largely elliptic in
shape; stomatal size adaxial 658.6-1176.0m2, abaxial
431.2 878.1m2; stomatal index adaxial 10.0-22.3%,
abaxial 17.4-23.4%. Cuticular striations present on both
adaxial and abaxial epidermal surfaces.
Trichomes (Figures 3 B, C, J, O, T; 4 D-F; 6 D-F)
Glandular and non-glandular trichome types present.
Spine-like, unicellular, bicellular, multicellular non-glandular types present, one or two cells occasionally shriveled.
Glandular types are largely capitate with multicellular
stalk, unicellular head.
Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.)
Epidermal cells polygonal to irregular in shape with
undulating anticlinal walls on adaxial surface (Figure1E),
irregular with sinuous anticlinal walls on the abaxial surface (Figure 2E). Leaf surface amphistomatic, stomata
largely anisocytic, often anomocytic, occasionally brachyparacytic (Figures 1 E and 2E), elliptic, occasionally
circular in shape; stomatal size adaxial 658.6-940.8m2,
abaxial 431.2 713.4m2; stomatal index adaxial 6.5-

Adedeji, O. and O. A. Jewoola/ Not. Bot. Hort. Agrobot. Cluj 36 (2) 2008, 7-16

12

10.0%, abaxial 17.3-20.4%. Cuticular striations absent on

both surfaces.
Trichomes (Figures 3 B, C, I-K, M, Q, T; 4 K; 6 J)
Glandular and non-glandular trichome types present.
Non-glandular are spine-like, unicellular, bicellular and
multicellular. Glandular trichomes are few and sessile.
Launaea taraxacifolia (Willd.) Amin, ex C. Jeffrey
Epidermal cells polygonal to rectangular in shape with
undulating anticlinal walls on adaxial surface (Figure1F),
irregular with undulating to sinuous anticlinal walls on
abaxial surface (Figure 2F). Leaf surface amphistomatic,
stomata largely anomocytic, often anisocytic and brachyparacytic (Figures 1F and 2F), elliptic to circular in shape,
stomatal size adaxial 392.0 - 768.3m2, abaxial 282.2
517.4m2; stomatal index adaxial 8.2 -12.8%, abaxial
13.8-18.4%. Cuticular striations absent on both surfaces.
Trichomes: Absent.
Tridax procumbens Linn.

Figure 4 Multicellular non-glandular trichome types in the family Asteraceae

A. Apex pointed
G. Apical cell shriveled
B. Apex sickle
H. One cell slightly shriveled
C. With one shriveled cell
I. One cell shriveled
D. 2 apical cells shriveled
J. Apical cell acicular
K. Apical cell pointed to slightE. Apical cell globular
ly round
F. Apical cell acicular toward L. Apical cell pointed to round,
the end, cells bulbous
one cell bulbous

Epidermal cells polygonal to rectangular and occasionally slightly irregular with wavy to undulating anticlinal
walls on the adaxial surface (Figure 1G), irregular to occasionally rectangular with sinuous anticlinal wall on the
abaxial surface (Figure 2G). Leaf surface amphistomatic.
Stomata largely anisocytic to brachyparacytic, occasionally anomocytic (Figures 1G and 2G), circular to elliptic
in shape on adaxial surface, elliptic to circular on abaxial
surface; stomatal size adaxial 1379.8-2195.2m2, abaxial
823.2 1811.0m2; stomatal index adaxial 8.1-13.0%,
abaxial 22.0-27.8%. Cuticular striations absent on both
surfaces.
Trichomes (Figures 3 R, T, Q; 5 A, B; 6B)
Both glandular and non-glandular trichome types
present. Glandular trichomes are capitate, often with bicellular stalk unicellular head. Non-glandular are largely
tricellular, occasionally stellate.
Chromolaena odorata (Linn.) R.M. King & Robinson
Epidermal cells polygonal to irregular to rectangular in
shape; anticlinal walls deeply undulating to slightly sinuous on adaxial surface (Figure 1H), irregular with sinuous
anticlinal walls on abaxial surface (Figure 2H). Leaf surface amphistomatic, stomata anisocytic to brachyparacytic

Figure 5 Additional non-glandular trichome types in the family

Asteraceae
A. Tricellular/ Multicellular
F. Amoeboid shaped
B. Stellate
G. Amoeboid shaped
C. K-shaped tetraradiate
H,J,K,. Regular T-shaped
D. Amoeboid shaped
I. Irregular T-shaped
E. V-shaped

Adedeji, O. and O. A. Jewoola/ Not. Bot. Hort. Agrobot. Cluj 36 (2) 2008, 7-16

13

and anomocytic (Figures 1H and 2H), circular to elliptic

in shape on both surfaces; stomatal size adaxial 713.41058.4m2, abaxial 470.4-752.6m2; stomatal index
adaxial 2.9-7.6%, abaxial 16.3-21.1%. Cuticular striations
absent on both surfaces.

Glandular and non-glandular trichome types present.

Stalked glandular types are capitate with bicellular stalk
unicellular head, capitate with multicellular stalk unicellular head. Some of the glandular trichomes are sessile.
Non-glandular trichomes are largely multicellular.

Trichomes (Figures 4 A, K; 5 D-G; 6 A, H)

Glandular and non-glandular trichome types present.
Glandular occur very occasionally, capitate with unicellular to bicellular stalk, unicellular head and unicellular
head, unicellular stalk. Non-glandular often multicellular, spine-like and unicellular types absent. V-shaped and
amoeboid trichome types occur.

Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn.

Epidermal cells irregular to polygonal, occasionally
rectangular; anticlinal cell wall deeply undulating to sinuous (Figure 1T), irregular to polygonal with sinuous anticlinal walls on the abaxial surface (Figure 2T), Leaf surface
amphistomatic, stomatal type largely anisocytic, occasionally diacytic, anomocytic and brachyparacytic, largely circular, occasionally elliptic in shape; stomatal size adaxial
352.8 - 658.6m2, abaxial 282.2 564.5m2, stomatal index adaxial 3.8 - 9.3%, abaxial 14.0 - 20.0%. Cuticular
striations absent on both surfaces.

Ageratum conyzoides (Linn.)

Epidermal cells irregular to rectangular in shape; with
sinuous wall on adaxial surface (Fig. 1I), irregular to slightly polygonal with sinuous walls on the abaxial surface (Fig.
2I). Leaf surface amphistomatic, stomata anisocytic, brachyparacytic and anomocytic; elliptic to circular in shape;
stomatal size adaxial 615.2-1199.5m2, abaxial 313.6705.6m2, stomatal index adaxial 9.2-15.7%, abaxial
23.4-34.7%. Cuticular striations absent on both surfaces.
Trichomes (Figures 3 H, S, T; 4 K, L; 6 A, C, D, I)

Trichomes (Figures 3 A, E, G, H, N; 4 B)
Glandular and non-glandular trichomes present.
Stalked glandular trichome types are sparse, capitate with
multicellular stalk, unicellular head. Non-glandular are
largely unicellular and bicellular with very pointed ends.
Multicellular is very rare.
Emilia coccinea (Sims) G. Don
Epidermal cells polygonal to rectangular with straight
to slightly wavy anticlinal walls on adaxial surface (Figure
1K), polygonal to irregular with sinuous anticlinal walls
on abaxial surface (Figure 2K). Leaf surface amphistomatic, stomata largely anisocytic often anomocytic; often circular in shape with small protrusions at the polar ends in
some stomata, stomatal size adaxial 564.5 815.4m2,
abaxial 470.4 611.5m2, stomatal index adaxial 2.59.0%, abaxial 28.1-36.9%. Cuticullar striations absent on
both surfaces.
Trichomes (Figures 3 B, J, P)
Only non-glandular trichome types present. They are
spine-like, bicellular and multicellular types, occasionally
with one cell shriveled.

Figure 6 Glandular trichome types in the family Asteraceae

A B - Capitate with bicellular stalk, unicellular head

C F - Capitate with multicellular stalk, unicellular head
G - Capitate with unicellular stalk, multicellular head
H - Capitate with unicellular head, unicellular stalk
I K - Sessile glandular trichomes

Emilia praetermissa Milne-Redhead

Epidermal cells largely polygonal, occasionally rectangular with straight to slightly wavy anticlinal walls on
adaxial surface (Figure 1L), irregular with deeply undulating to sinuous anticlinal walls on the abaxial surface (2L).
Leaf surface amphistomatic, stomata anisocytic occasionally anomocytic or brachyparacytic, elliptic in shape, occasionally irregularly shaped appearing malformed (Figure
2L), often with small protrusions at the polar ends in some
of the stomata; stomatal size - adaxial 752.6 1254.4m2,
abaxial 588.0 987.8m2; stomatal index adaxial 7.9 13.5%, abaxial 19.0-23.8%. Cuticular striations absent on
both surfaces.

Adedeji, O. and O. A. Jewoola/ Not. Bot. Hort. Agrobot. Cluj 36 (2) 2008, 7-16

14

Trichomes (Figures 3 S, T; 4 C; 6 G)
Stalked glandular and non-glandular trichome types
present. The stalked glandular is capitate with multicellular head and unicellular stalk. Non-glandular trichomes
are essentially multicellular.
At the specific level, studies of trichomes have been
found to be of value by many workers (Faust and Jones
1973; Rollins and Shaw, 1973; Adedeji, 2004; Adedeji
et al., 2007). According to Metcalfe and Chalk 1979, the
presence of a particular type of trichome can frequently
delimit species, genera or even whole families. Isawumi
(1989) in his study on the genus Vernonia found the
trichomes to be more useful taxonomically in the discrimination of the species into sections than any of the other
epidermal characters.
The distribution of trichomes is amazingly complex.
Complexity results from, firstly, the diversity in types of
trichomes, secondly, marked differences in the density of
trichome types taken individually and collectively, and
thirdly, differences in the distribution of trichome types
on different parts of a given plant. Within the space limitation of this presentation, Figures 1 6 provide illustrative
examples of trichome types found on the leaf epidermal
surfaces of the species of the family Asteraceae studied.
Unique unicellular trichome types were observed in
Synedrella nodiflora, Bidens pilosa, Tithonia diversifolia
and Emilia coccinea. Synedrella nodiflora is the only species with very long, thin and narrow unicellular types.
Spine-like unicellular types were observed in Bidens pilosa, Tithonia diversifolia and Emilia coccinea only. Unicellular trichome types were completely absent in Vernonia
amygdalina, Tridax procumbens, Chromolaena odorata
and E. praetermissa.
Bicellular non-glandular types were observed in Vernonia amygdalina, Aspilia africana, Bidens pilosa, Tithonia diversifolia, Synedrella nodiflora and Emilia coccinea.
Long, thin and pointed apical cells occasionally short
and pointed were observed in Aspilia africana. Unicellular and bicellular trichome types were completely absent
in Tridax procumbens, Chromolaena odorata and Emilia
praetermissa.
Occasional shriveled cells in the non-glandular multicellular cell trichome types were encountered in Ageratum conyzoides, Bidens pilosa, Vernonia cinerea, Vernonia
amygdalina, Ageratum conyzoides, Emilia coccinea and
Emilia praetermissa.
For glandular trichomes, unicellular stalk with unicellular head was encountered in Chromolaena odorata, unicellular stalk with multicellular head in Emilia praetermissa,
unicellular head with multicellular stalk in Tridax procumbens, Chromolaena odorata and Ageratum conyzoides.
Sessile glandular trichomes were observed in Vernonia
cinerea, Vernonia amygdalina, Tithonia diversifolia and
Ageratum conyzoides. Launaea taraxacifolia was unique
in being the only species without any trichomes. Stellate

trichome and K-shaped or tetraradiate trichome were observed in Tridax procumbens only.
The genus Vernonia can be separated from the other
genera in the family by the possession of various types of
T-shaped trichomes, regular in V. cinerea, irregular in V.
amygdalina. This can be used to separate the two species
of Vernonia from each other. Chromolaena odorata can
be separated from all the other species in the family studied on the basis of possession of V-shaped and amoeboid
shaped trichome types.
Absence of unicellular and bicellular non-glandular
trichome types in E. praetermissa separates it from E.
coccinea which has spine-like unicellular and bicellular
trichomes. This supports the report of Adedeji (2004) on
the leaf epidermal studies of the species of Emilia Cass. in
Nigeria.
The stomatal apparatus in Asteraceae consists of two
guard cells bounding a lenticular pore, the orientation of
which is largely parallel to the guard cells. This apparatus
is surrounded either by typical epidermal cells or by one or
more subsidiary cells. Four stomatal types were recorded
in the species of the family Asteraceae studied: anomocytic, brachyparacytic, anisocytic and diacytic.
It is largely anomocytic occasionally brachparacytic
in Vernonia amygdalina, largely anisocytic occasionally
anomocytic or brachyparacytic in Emilia praetermissa,
Ageratum conyzoides, Synedrella nodiflora, Chromolaena
odorata, Tridax procumbens, Tithonia diversifolia, Bidens
pilosa, anomocytic to anisocytic and brachyparacytic in
Vernonia cinerea and Launaea taraxacifolia, largely anomocytic occasionally brachyparacytic and anisocytic in
Aspilia africana, largely anisocytic often anomocytic in
Emilia coccinea.
On the basis of stomatal type, Vernonia cinerea can be
delimited from Vernonia amygdalina in the same genus by
the presence of anisocytic stomatal types, Emilia praetermissa can be delimited from E. coccinea by the presence
of brachyparacytic stomatal types. Agaratum conyzoides
and Synedrella nodiflora are the only two species with occasional diacytic stomatal types.
The outline of the pair of guard cells as seen in surface
view, i.e. stomatal shape is of taxonomic importance as emphasized by Adedeji (2004). Stomatal shape of the species
studied varied between elliptic and circular.
It is largely elliptic often or occasionally circular in
Vernonia cinerea, Vernonia amygdalina, Aspilia africana, Tithonia diversifolia, Launaea taraxacifolia, Tridax
procumbens and Ageratum conyzoides, circular to elliptic
in Chromolaena odorata, elliptic shape only was found in
Bidens pilosa and Emilia praetermissa, circular shape only
in Emilia coccinea, thus stomatal shape can be used to separate the two species of Emilia. It is largely circular to occasionally elliptic in Synedrella nodiflora.
Stomatal size, although quantitative is also noteworthy.
On the adaxial surface, it was highest in Tridax procumbens and lowest in Synedrella nodiflora and Aspilia afri-

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15

cana. On the abaxial surface it was also highest in Tridax

procumbens and lowest in Launaea taraxacifolia and Syndrella nodiflora. Stomatal size was consistently higher on
the adaxial surface than on the abaxial surface in all the
species studied.
Based on the statistical correlation analysis carried out,
stomatal size showed relationship among species in the
same tribe, for example, Synedrella nodiflora and Aspilia
africana of the tribe Heliantheae.
However, species which are not of the same tribe also
showed some closeness, affirming their inter-relationships
based on stomatal size, for example, Launaea taraxacifolia and Vernonia amygdalina, Emilia coccinea and Tridax
procumbens, Chromolaena odorata and Tithonia diversifolia, Aspilia africana, Vernonia amygdalina and Vernonia
cinerea show correlation on their adaxial surfaces, while
Chromolaena odorata showed relationship with Emilia
coccinea, Tridax procumbens and Vernonia cinerea on the
abaxial surface. Vernonia cinerea with Emilia coccinea,
Bidens pilosa with Ageratum conyzoides also showed relationship on the abaxial surface.
The observation of a wide range of stomatal size in the
species studied agree with the observations of Wilkinson
(1971) in his study of some families. According to Olatunji (1983), stomatal index can be used for species delimitation. On the adaxial surface, it was highest in Bidens pilosa
and lowest in Emilia coccinea and Chromolaena odorata
while on the abaxial surface, it was highest in Emilia coccinea and lowest in Vernonia cinerea.
Statistical correlation analysis of the stomatal index of
the species studied revealed that some species of the same
tribe showed relationship (high correlation), for example,
on the abaxial surface, Synedrella nodiflora and Bidens pilosa of the tribe Heliantheae; on the adaxial surface, Ageratum conyzoides and Chromolaena odorata of the tribe
Eupatorieae.
In addition, some species which are not of the same
tribe also showed some correlation which indicate close
interrelationship among the species in the family, for example on the adaxial surface, Chromolaena odorata with
Ageratum conyzoides, Bidens pilosa, Launaea taraxacifolia, Synedrella nodiflora and Vernonia cinerea; Ageratum
conyzoides with Tridax procumbens and Vernonia amygdalina; Tithonia diversifolia with Launaea taraxacifolia;
Tridax procumbens with Emilia coccinea. On the abaxial
surface, Emilia coccinea with Aspilia africana, Tithonia
diversifolia with Emilia praetermissa; Tridax procumbens
with Ageratum conyzoides; Vernonia cinerea with Launaea
taraxacifolia. Anticlinal cell wall pattern on the adaxial
surface can be used to separate the species.
It is straight to slightly wavy in both species of Emilia,
this separates the genus from the other genera in the family. It is undulating to wavy in both species of Vernonia and
Tridax procumbens, undulating in Tithonia diversifolia and
Launaea taraxacifolia, deeply undulating to sinuous in As-

pilia africana, Chromolaena odorata and Synedrella nodiflora; sinuous in Bidens pilosa and Ageratum conyzoides.
On the abaxial surface, the anticlinal cell wall pattern
is largely sinuous except in two species, Launaea taraxacifolia and Emilia praetermissa where they are undulating to
sinuous. Isawumi (1989), Adedeji and Illoh (2004) used
the presence or absence of cuticular striations for the delimitation or separation of some species in the genus Vernonia and Hibiscus respectively.
Cutin folds occur as striations in the epidermides of
only two species of the twelve species studied. This can be
used to separate the two species in two different genera
from the others. It is present on the abaxial surface of Vernonia amygdalina, but absent on the adaxial surface, while
it is present on both surfaces of Bidens pilosa. They radiate from the guard cells of the stomata and from trichome
bases.
The presence of cuticular striations on the abaxial surface of Vernonia amygdalina in addition to the presence
of irregular T-shaped trichomes in this taxon and absence
of anisocytic stomata earlier mentioned, separates it from
Vernonia cinerea in the same genus which tend to conform
with some classification systems where Vernonia cinerea
has consistently been put in section Tephrodes, while Vernonia amygdalina has at different times been proposed for
section Decaneurum (Kingham, 1976), section Orbivestus
( Jones, 1981) and section Strobocalyx (Isawumi, 1995).
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