Comparative Morphological and Anatomical Studies on Young Leaves of Ficus Species

Abstract

The morphological and anatomical features of Ficus species were studied. These species were collected from new botanical garden, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad from the month of Nov. to Feb. The 2^nd fully emerging leaf of Ficus species was sampled, leaf area, length of petiole and lower leaf epidermis were peeled off and preserved in FAA solution. Then number of stomata, subsidiary cell, pore size, guard cell width and length were measured. The result revealed that F. elastica has maximum number of stomata and F. natalensis has least number of stomata.  Petiole length of F. elastica varigata increase with passage of time. F. natalensis has minimum petiole length and show no specific pattern in increase and decrease in length. Leaf area of F. elastica varigata decrease from Nov. to Dec. and again increase from Dec. to Jan. F. natalensis has smallest leaf area but remain constant in all other data taking months. F. natalensis has maximum number of stomata and F. hawai and F. macrophylla has least number of subsidiary cell. Pore size of F. macrophylla and F. elastica burgundy gradually increase with the passage of time while F. natalensis pore size increase from Nov. to Dec. and then decrease from Dec. to Jun. Length of guard cell of F. elastica gradually decrease with the passage of time. While length of guard cell of F. hawai increase with the passage of time. Width of guard cell of F. macrophylla gradually increase with the passage of time and F. elastica guard cell width decrease width the passage of time.