The study of anatomical structures of stem and leaf in some species of Cyperaceae

Family Cyperaceae are perennial and rarely annual plants with erect stems, rhizoms, long and alternate leaves and reduced reproductive organs, they are growing in wetlands. In this study, ten species from four genera (Carex, Cyperus, Pycreus and Schoenoplectus) were investigated using light and SEM microscopy. The anatomical results showed that, sclerenchymatic girders, vascular positions, peripheral air cavities of stem are separating Carex species from the others. Ornamentation, number of large and size of vascular bundles specially metaxylems are the most characters in separation of Carex species. Anatomical structures of Carex leaves are characterized by larger scelernchyma and more number of chlorenchyma layers in around of air cavities. Kranz anatomy is correlated with smaller air cavities in leaves of C. distachyos, C. glaber and Pycreus flavidus. A morphological analysis of leaf epidermis showed that, tetracytic stomata are dominant, and that distribution of stomata in both adaxial and abaxial layers and presence or absence of papillae have diagnostic value, and they were not correlated with habitat type necessarily.