Foliar tissue architectural diversity among three species of genus Hibiscus for better adaptability under industrial environment

It is imperative to explore the potential of the species to judge their suitability in any habitat. It depends upon a number of physiological, biochemical and anatomical attributes. In the present study, leaf anatomical attributes of three Hibiscus species were evaluated to analyze inter-specific variability under the industrial environment of Faisalabad. Fourteen leaf anatomical traits were investigated through light microscopy. Results indicated significant variations among species depicting their potential to struggle against altering environment. Among all the studied species Hibiscus tiliaceus emerge more accomplished among others by possessing maximum epidermal thickness, increased epidermal cell area, high metaxylem area, increased phloem and xylem region thickness and augmented midrib and lamina thickness. On the other hand, Hibiscus schizopetalous was behind these two in many attributes e.g. lowest vascular bundle area and minimum lamina thickness respectively. Overall, on the basis of leaf anatomical characteristics, it can be concluded that Hibiscus tiliaceus has been endorsed with massive capacity to grow well under polluted environment.