Taxonomic Significance of Leaf Epidermal Attributes of some Herbaceous Species of Euphorbia L. (Euphorbiaceae) in Nigeria
Foliar epidermis of six species of Euphorbia Linn. in Nigeria was studied with the aim of ascertaining reliable
characters for easy identification, delimitation and indicating relationships among species. Light microscopy was employed
to evaluate leaf surface features such as shape of epidermal cell, stomata and trichome and their distribution frequency.
Epidermal shapes are variable i.e. polygonal, irregular and undulate. Stomatal complex types include anomocytic, anisocytic,
paracytic, diacytic were encountered. Diacytic stomatal complex was observed only in E. heterophylla and E.