LEAF ANATOMY AND MICROMORPHOLOGY OF STROBILANTHES CRISPA (BLUME) (PECAH BELING) FROM KUANTAN, PAHANG, MALAYSIA

The anatomical studies of selected plant species of Acanthaceae in Kuantan, Pahang are scarce. Thus, the aim of this study is to identify the leaf anatomical and micromorphological characteristics of S. crispa which can give additional information for identification of species. In addition, not only for taxonomy purpose, but also useful for ethnobotany perception on using as medicinal purpose because nowadays people are more searching on traditional plants as the alternative for drugs medicines, especially S. crispa. Methods used in this study were sectioning using sliding microtome, epidermal peeling and leaf micromorphology method by using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Findings from this study showed that the presence of collenchyma, sclerenchyma and mucilage cells in either petiole or midrib of the leaves. Meanwhile, the anatomical characteristics observed include petiole and midrib outlines, patterns of petiole and midrib vascular bundles, presence of cystolith cells and presence and types of trichomes. As a conclusion, leaf anatomy and micromorphology characteristics are useful for identification of species studied.