Foliar epidermal anatomy of some ethnobotanically important species of genus Ficus Linn.

The main objective of this paper is the detailed morphological study of leaf epidermis of Genus Ficus (Moraceae). The study based on the micro characters of leaf epidermis of some species of Ficus collected from Pakistan. The study revealed the many interesting epidermal features of leaves that have not previously been reported before and has been conducted first time. No published details are available of such comprehensive foliar anatomical studies of following species of genus Ficus L. species has been conducted first time. Note the measurements, shape and type of the leaf epidermal cells including pavement cells, stomata and shape of guard cell pairs, trichomes and ornamentation of cuticular membrane. Pavement cells are often polygonal and irregular. Among the species the F. virens has larger pavement cells as well as stomata as compare to other species. Whereas there are little variations represented in qualitative and quantitative characters among the species of same genus. Stomata are paracytic except in F. nerrifolia and F. callosoa and are restricted on abaxial surface. Trichomes present in some species mostly are unicellular and non-glandular with bulbous base. Cuticular membrane is mostly smooth and pubescent. And in some species peltate glands also observed.