A comparison of the leaf anatomy of Ficus subpuberula, F. atricha, and F. brachypoda (Moraceae: Urostigma sect. Malvanthera)
DIXON, D.J.
The leaf anatomy of Ficus subpuberula Corner, F. atricha D.J.Dixon, and F. brachypoda (Miq.) Miq. are compared in order to facilitate identification of these partly sympatric species. Ficus subpuberula was found to possess distinctly thinner (267.6 ± 4.3 µm), isobilateral leaves compared to the much thicker (313.3 ± 12.1 µm and 425.6 ± 17.8 µm), dorsiventral leaves of F. atricha and F. brachypoda respectively. Tanniniferous cells were present in F. atricha and F. brachypoda, but absent in F. subpuberula. The upper epidermis and the palisade parenchyma of F. brachypoda were about twice as thick as in F. atricha.
