Leaf Anatomical Study on some Cassia sensu lato species from Sudan

Author(s): W. E. Abdalla, H. E. Khalid, A. N. Guma'a, G. E. B. El Ghazali

Leaflet anatomy of fifteen Cassia L. sensu lato species from Sudan was studied including epidermal peels and sections through midrib regions in order to elucidate its importance in solving the problem of either amalgamate or segregate the genus into the three allied genera, namely: Senna Miller, Chamaecrista Moench, and Cassia L. sensu stricto. One type of cell shape (polygonal) as well as one type of stomata (paracytic) were shown from the epidermii of the leaflets of all species. Trichomes, when present, were always simple, unicellular, mostly thick-walled, with acute or rounded apices, sometimes with bulbous bases, straight or curved. The stomatal index and sections through midrib regions for the studied species did not support the segregation or amalgamation of the related genera, however, it proved to be useful in species identification.