Foliar micromorphology of some selected species of the genus Artemisia and its taxonomic implications

Artemisia is a polymorphic and widespread genus from the Asteraceae family. This genus includes more than 500 species out of which 37 species have been reported from Iran. Widely distributed in the desert area of Iran that makes this genus as one of the main elements of the Irano-Turanian region. In this study, eight species of Artemisia from different parts of Isfahan province were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy (LM) techniques based on both qualitative and quantitative features of foliar epidermal cells. Type of epidermal cells varied from polygonal to irregular and elongated in shape with wavy to smooth in margins. This study, defined three different types of stomata: anemocytic, anisocytic, and paracytic on both the adaxial and the abaxial sides of Artemisia leaves species. Six different types of both glandular and non-glandular trichomes including capitate, peltate, aduncate, tectorial, conical type, and stinging hair types were observed in these species.