A study on the leaf venation anatomical characteristics was conducted on eight chosen Ficus L. (Moraceae) species in Peninsular Malaysia, namely F. callosa, F. apiocarpa, F. caulocarpa, F. pubigera, F. pendens, F. celebensis, F. mollissima, and F. drupacea. The objective of this study was to observe the significant leaf venation anatomical characteristics that can be used in species classification and identification. Leaf clearing, staining, mounting and observation under a light microscope were techniques used for the study. Veinlets, the ultimate marginal and areolar venation were the main leaf venation anatomical characteristics observed in this study. The presence of complex veinlets in the areolar venation were shown in most species studied (F. callosa, F. pubigera, F. celebensis, F. pendens), whilst simple or uni-veinlets were shown in F. apiocarpa, F. caulocarpa and F. mollissima. Free ending veinlet was absence in F. drupacea. Complete ultimate marginal venation was shown in most species studied, such as in F. callosa, F. caulocarpa, F. pendends, F. mollissima and F. drupacea. Opened areolar venation was observed in most species studied, such as in F. callosa, F. pubigera, F. pendens, F. mollissima, and F. celebensis. Diagnostic leaf venation anatomical characteristic was present in cystolith cells in F. pubigera and trichomes were present on venation in F. mollissima only. As a conclusion, the results of this study have shown that leaf venation anatomical characteristics have taxonomic significance that can be used in differentiation and identification in selected Ficus species studied.
