Abstract
Some morphometric and micromorphological characteristics of Salvadora persica L. leaves are described from a plant
growing at the fringes (often inundated with Seawater during high tides) of supra-littoral salt marsh of Sands pit,
Karachi. Leaf length of S. persica averaged to 5.23 ± 0.1045cm (2.4 to 7.8 cm, CV: 20.06%) and breadth to 2.54 ±
0.051cm (0.9 to 3.70, CV: 19.98%). Leaf area measured (LAMG) averaged to 9.5150 ± 0.3150 (CV: 33.24%). S.
persica showed simple dicotyledonous anatomy with palisade tissue on the both surfaces. Leaf area was best estimated
arithmetically by employing multiplying factor (K = 0.7015) in equation LAK = (LL x LB) x K. The lamina weight per
leaf averaged to 0.1749 ± 0.0066g and (174.90 ± 0.660mg) varying around 37.9% and tended to follow normal
distribution. Lamina weight tended to be positively correlated with LAMG as given below –
Ln Lamina weight (mg) = 18.517 + 0.994 (Ln LAMG, cm2
) ± 0.217; r = 0.887, F = 366.3 (p < 0.0001)
SLA of S. persica, in a sample of 101 differentially aged leaves averaged to 56.69 ± 1.167cm2
/g corresponding to 5.67
± 0.1167m2
.kg-1
. It varied from 37.60 to 97.27 cm2
/g (CV: 20.74%) that is 3.76 to 9.73 m2
.kg-1
.
Leaves were amphistomtatous. Stomata were oval in shape and ledges arched. Stomatal types included paracytic,
tetracytic, staurocytic, anisocytic and anomocytic stomata. Stomatal density /mm2
averaged 218.14 ± 3.64 on dorsal
surface and 241.99 ± 3.057 on ventral side. Stomatal size averaged to 16.32 ± 0.508 x 10.71 ± 0.292 µm on dorsal side
and 17.01 ± 0.472 x 11.91 ± 0.284 µm on ventral side.
