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LEAF SURFACE ANATOMY IN SOME WOODY PLANTS FROM 

NORTHEASTERN MEXICO

RATIKANTA MAITI1, HUMBERTO GONZÁLEZ RODRÍGUEZ1*, PERLA CECILIA RODRÍGUEZ BALBOA1, JOSE GUADALUPE MARMOLEJO MONCIVAIS1, HAYDEE ALEJANDRA DUEÑAS TIJERINA1, JEFF CHRISTOFHER GONZÁLEZ DÍAZ1 AND ARUNA KUMARI2

1Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Carr. Nac. No. 85 Km. 45, 

Linares, Nuevo León 67700, México.

2Professor Jaya Shanker Telangana State Agricultural University, Agricultural College, Rajendranagar, 

Hyderabad, Telangana, AP 500030, India

*Corresponding author’s email: humberto.gonzalezrd@uanl.edu.mx

Abstract

Studies on leaf surface anatomy of woody plants and its significance are rare. The present study was undertaken in the Forest Science Faculty Experimental Research Station, UANL, Mexico, with objectives to determine the variability in leaf surface anatomy in the woody plants of the Tamaulipan thornscrub and its utility in taxonomy and possible adaptation to the prevailing semiarid conditions. The results show the presence of large variability in several leaf anatomical traits viz., waxy leaf surface, type of stomata, its size, and distribution. The species have been classified on the basis of various traits which can be used in species delimitation and adaptation to the semiarid condition such as waxy leaf surface, absence sparse stomata on the leaf surface, sunken stomata. The species identified as better adapters to semi-arid environments on the basis of the presence and absence of stomata on both adaxial and abaxial surface viz., Eysenhardtia texana, Parkinsonia texana, Gymnosperma glutinosum, Celtis laevigata, Condalia hookeri and Karwinskia humboldtiana.

Key words: Leaf surface, Stomata type, Abundance, Waxiness, Woody plants, Northeastern Mexico.