Scanning electron microscopic studies on leaf surface and seed surface in some taxa of liliaceae

Scanning electron microscopic observations on leaf surfaces in nine populations of four species and on seed surface in eight populations of seven species (three being common) of the tribe Scilleae are presented. Leaf cuticular ornamentation, stomatal variations and differences in wax deposition play an important role in delimiting the populations of Urginea indica and Scilla indica. Seed surface characters showed variations among the genera, among species of a genus, and among populations of a species. Variations occur in epidermal cells and their ornamentations such as the presence of elevated, reticulate or depressed tubercles, warts and ridges, crystalline button-like wavy broad and folded or amorphous structures of wax and reticulations, rugae, and angular and irregular granular formations. It is suggested that leaf surface characters and spermoderm ornamentations can be used as secondary or supporting characters in biosystematic studies.