Achene micromorphological character study of six Kyllinga spp. (Cyperaceae) from south India using scanning electron microscope (SEM) for its taxonomic significance

Scanning electron microscope (SEM) study was used to examine achene epidermal surface features to add additional taxonomic characters for classification and to solve identification problems in six Kyllinga species of South India that are deposited in the Madras Herbarium (MH). The present study reveals that, the presence and absence of silica body in each cell based on the epidermal features plays an important role to differentiate the distinct individuals. Previous investigations support the data of achene micromorphology like exocarp cell shape, anticlinal and periclinal walls of the epidermal cell obtained using SEM delimits the taxa.