Epidermal characters of Rosa L. and Rubus L. (Rosaceae) from Iraq and their taxonomic value.

Abstract

The leaf epidermal structure of thirteen taxa from the genera Rosa L. and Rubus L. (Rosaceae family), which grow obviously within the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, is investigated via light microscopy. All taxa have the type of anomocytic stomata on the abaxial surface, and no stomata are present on the adaxial surface. Within the genus Rubus, R. sanctus can be distinguished from R. caesuis by the anticlinal wall patterns on the adaxial and abaxial surfaces and the shape of the epidermal cells on the abaxial side. In Rosa, the shape of the epidermal cells on the abaxial surface varies from polygonal and polygonal-slightly irregular to irregular. R. canina var. deseglsei can be recognized by the abaxial surface’s anticlinal wall pattern and the epidermal cells’ shape. Although R. foetida had larger epidermal cell densities on all surfaces, it lacked the necessary taxonomical support to distinguish our Rosa genus taxa. Stomatal density as a range and stomata index could be valuable two diagnostic features for separating R. hemispharica from the remaining taxa of the genus Rosa. The taxa of Section: Pimpinellifoliae can be separate by the patterns of anticlinal walls of the abaxial surface from the remaining taxa of Sections: Caninae and Gallicanae within Subgenus: Rosa under study. According to our findings, some leaf epidermal characteristics and stomata are advantageous for distinguishing the various taxonomic ranks of the genera Rosa and Rubus family Rosaceae.