Abstract
The leaf surface morphological details of At r op a bella-donna L. and of two adulterant
species (Ailanthus altissima (Miller) Swingle and Phytolacca americana L.) have been
comparatively investigated by SEM.
The presence of quite different relation patterns between cell outline and cuticular
striation arrangement in Atropa bella-donna and Ailanthus altissima has been emphasized.
Moreover a typical stomatal dimorphism in Ailanthus and the absence of cuticular ornamentation
in Phytolacca together with the occurrence in the late species of some papillose cells
on the veins, have been pointed out.
The most outstanding differences in leaf surface morphological details put in evidence
by SEM in the species taken into account, are easily recognizable even in small fragments
of unfixed, commercially available powdered leaves; this fact can assume valuable
diagnostic implications.
