SEM STUDIES OF TRICHOMES TYPES IN REPRESENTATIVE SPECIES OF THE SECT POLYACTIUM AND SECT LIGULARIA IN THE GENUS PELARGONIUM-L HERIT (GERANIACEAE)

Trichomes from the leaves of 11 species of Pelargonium L'Herit., were examined with the S.E.M. Trichomes observed were of either non-glandul ar unicellular and uniseriate-type or were glandular, uniserate stalk of different length, with a unicellular head consisting of spherical o r oblong spherical terminal cell. The surface of the trichomes were sm ooth to granulate-tuberculate. The study revealed that trichomes of th e leaf indumentum can be used as an additional aid in the identificati on and determination of relationship between the species.