Comparative study of leaf architecture in the species of genus Indigofera L.

Botany

Studies of leaf architecture in some species of genus Indigofera are investigated. In the present work 9 taxa of the genus are taken for the study. The 9 species include Indigofera linifolia, Indigofera linnaei, Indigofera cordifolia, Indigofera astragalina, Indigofera tinctoria, Indigofera glandulosa, Indigofera trifoliate, Indigofera purviflora, Indigofera cassioides. A comprehensive description of leaf architecture for the studied taxa was provided including venation pattern, areolation and marginal ultimate venation. The venation pattern showed mostly pinnate semicraspedodromous; Aeroles are pecfectly developed. Taxonomically significant leaf features of examined taxa showed great diversity in leaf or leaflet from leaf size, leaf apex, leaf base, main venation pattern, secondary vein angle, inter secondary veins, number of veins on either side of midrib, free ending ultimate veins areole size, number of vein endings. Entering the areoles and number of vein terminations, entering the areoles vary from species to species even within the same species looped marginal ultimate venation is observed in all the species. The highest degree of vein order is observed upto 6˚.

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