Role of Leaf Architecture for the Identification of agarwood-producing Species Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. and Gyrinops versteegii (Gilg.) Domke at Vegetative Stage

摘要

Background and Objective: This study was the first to report leaf architecture and micromorphology of Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. and Gyrinops versteegii (Gilg.) Domke, two most widely cultivated agarwood-producing species in Indonesia. Materials and Methods: This study presented leaf architecture and micromorphology as an alternative data for species identification of A. malaccensis and G. versteegii at vegetative stage. The data were obtained through observations on leaf morphology, micromorphology and leaf venation. Morphological data were collected from fresh leaves, whereas the micromorphology and venation characters were obtained from microscopic examinations of cleared leaves. A total of 27 characters were examined and subjected to cluster analysis and principal component analysis . Results: Results of cluster analysis showed clear separation of samples into two respective species. Seven characters were identified as distinguishing features for the two species, namely leaf shape, laminar size, midrib width, trichomes on lamina, trichomes on midrib, calcium oxalate density on lamina and length of raphide-type calcium oxalate. Conclusion: This study revealed the role of leaf morphology, leaf venation patterns and leaf micromorphological characters for recognizing A. malaccensis and G. versteegii at vegetative stage.