Leaf micromorphological studies and chlorophyll quantification of four species of family Rubiaceae

The present work focuses on the variabilities and similarities in the stomatal index and chlorophyll content of four species Mitracarpus hirtus (L.), Oldenlandia auricularia (L.), Ixora javanica (Bl.) and Ixora coccinea (L.). Our study revealed that there is considerable variation in the stomatal index and size of stomata in the upper and lower epidermis of the same species. Oldenlandia auricularia (L.) with the highest stomatal index in its upper epidermis also has the largest dimensions for the length and breadth of stomata in the upper epidermis. Out of the four investigated species, three showed paracytic stomata and one showed anomocytic stomata. The number and size of the epidermal cells also varied considerably. Chlorophyll quantification study revealed that there are slight variations among the four species.