DIAGNOSTIC ANATOMICAL FEATURES OF CERTAIN SPECIES OF COLCHICUM

Summary

The histological features of the epidermises of the brown scale leaf and foliage leaf of six species of Colchicum are described, together with some features of the bulb scales of some other liliaceous plants. It is considered that species of Colchicum can be best distinguished by the presence or absence of papillae, proteinoplasts, beads and cuticular depressions around the stomata of the epidermis of the foliage leaf. The epidermis of the brown scale leaf is diagnostic only in C. ritchii, where it is lignified, but its appearance serves to distinguish species of Colchicum from the other liliaceous plants examined.

Zusammenfassung

Es wird der histologische Bau der Epidermis von Schuppen– und Laubblättern mehrerer Arten von Colchicum und einiger anderer Liliaceen verglichen. Zur Unterscheidung der Colchicum–Arten sind mehrere Merkmale brauchbar, auf Grund deren ein Bestimmungsschlüssel aufgestellt wurde.