This study investigated a comparative micro-morphological features of 14
species in the family Solanaceae, using trichome and stomatal complements in delimitation of
species and genera within the taxon, family. The genus
Solanum
L. is the largest among the
genera in Solanaceae.
Solanum aethiopicum
Linn.
Solanum macrocarpon
Linn.
Solanum torvum
Swartz.
Solanum anomalum
Thonn.
Solanum erianthum
D. Don, are covered with stellate
trichomes. While
Solanum nigrum
Linn.,
Solanum lycopersicum
Linn.,
Solanum incanum
Linn.,
Datura
spp.,
Schwenckia
spp.,
Capsicum
spp.,
Physalis
spp. have simple uniseriate
trichomes.
S. aethiopicum Linn.
S. torvum Swartz.
S. lycopersicum Linn, and
Physalis micrantha
Linn, revealed higher trichome indices. In most species, these trichomes are not
visibly observed with the naked eyes. While in some others such as in
S. torvum and
S.
lycopersicum the trichomes are observable on the plants. Glandular hairs are also present in
Solanaceae. Stomata is amphistomatic, types commonly observed are: anisocytic and
anomocytic, while paracytic and tetracytic stomata are sometimes revealed in stem epidermis in
Solanaceae. The usefulness of trichome and stomatal complements in species and generic taxa
are recommended as pertinent characters for classification in Solanaceae and their density may
vary from one ecological zone to another.© JASEM