Abstract
The ornamentation (trichomes, lithocysts and stomata) of Peristrophe paniculata (Forssk.) Brummitt. seedling is described. Seedling appeared to be “Phanerocotylar-epigeal-foliaceous type”. P. paniculata appeared to consist of lithocysts in all seedling components. Generally, they were of varied shapes and sizes. They are much longer than wider. Each lithocyst contained numerous cystoliths. The lithocyst density on cotyledonary and foliar surfaces was almost comparable -averaging around 13 to 15 lithocysts per mm2 . On cotyledon, lithocysts were predominantly of RR (Both ends round) type. RN (One end obtuse other tapering) or NN (both ends tapering) types were absent from ventral surface of cotyledon. There was, however, merely 6.66 % representation of RN type on dorsal surface of cotyledon. The three types of lithocysts were, however, present on leaf. NN type of lithocysts was 50-58% on ventral and dorsal surfaces. RR and RN types were around 20-25%. There were three types of trichomes 1. Non-glandular uniseriate multicellular larger trichomes, 2. Smaller conical trichomes and 3. Sessile glandular trichomes. Size of normal diacytic stomata was found not to vary on different surfaces of the seedling. Stomatal size was of 25.80 ± 14.85 μm on the dorsal surface of leaf and 27.5 x 14.85 μm on the ventral surface. Foliar stomata had sinuous subsidiaries with wavy anticlinal walls. On leaf surface, besides diacytic stomata, anisocytic and staurocytic stomata were also seen – of course in low number. SEM provided images of the cystoliths and druses. Scanning through EDS attached to the SEM facilitated the elemental composition of the leaf, in the region of cystoliths and the polymorph presumably aragonite, indicated that CaCO3 entered in the composition of the cystolith and the druses.
