SEM STUDIES OF PETAL STRUCTURE OF COROLLA OF THE SPECIES SIBBALDIA L. (ROSACEAE)

Epidermal micromorphology of petals of 8 species of Sibbaldia L., of the family Rosacceae has been studied by Scanning Electron Microscope. Micromorhological characters observed in petals and their reliability as a taxonomic marker is discussed. The petal epidermal cells exhibit definite geometrical patterns, where cell wall boundaries are usually raised, cell surface is marked with striae, which are ruminate at the projection. Stomata were completely absent in the epidermis of the petals. The taxonomic significance of petal structure in the identification and elucidation of species affinity and relationship is discussed.