Anatomical study of leaf in some species of Salix L. in Iran

Salix is one of the largest genera in Salicaceae family. In this research epidermis and leaf anatomical characters in six species of Salix from three sections were studied. The specimens were collected from Karadj (Alburz station). These characters were as follow: shape and patterns of anticlinal cells of lower epidermis, type, size and density of stomata, mesophyll type, the number of paliside layers and cell shape, type and distribution of crystals, number and shape of hypodermis cells. polygonal and irregular epidermis cells were found in four species and polygonal and regular cells in two species. There was several type of stomata in the species. All species had one layer of hypodermis, but the shape of the cells was variable in different species. Mesophylle type was isolateral and without space. The number of palisade layer and crystal distribution were variable in different species. The results showed that some of the anatomical characters were similar in six species. The shape of epidermis cells and anticlinal patterns was constant in each species. This constancy could separate some species.