Published Paper Details:

Foliar epidermal features of seven species of Acanthaceae grown in natural habitat (control) and in areas of environmental stress were analysed using micromorphological and histochemical characters. The parameters include size of stomata, size of epidermal cells, size of cystolith, palisade ratio, stomatal frequency and stomatal index. Histochemical localisation of starch indicated abnormalities in stomatal complex under environmental stress. How ever, mesogenous stomatal complex though a vegetative entity, is least deviated by the environmental stress; can be considered as reliable as any other conservative taxonomic character for delimiting Acanthaceae. Length and breadth of stomata, epidermal cell and cystolith were analysed on the basis of students t test. In majority of cases, significant variations were obtained. In the plants grown under environmental stress when tested with chi square, no significant change was observed for palisade ratio and stomatal index. Stomatal frequency showed significant variation under enviromnteal stress, except in Strobilanthes ciliatus. Justicia gendarussa appears to be the most tolerant species while Justicia betonica and Ruellia tuberosa are highly susceptible to environmental stress.