Comparative Leaf Anatomy of Tetrastigma raifiesiae Planchon and Tetrastigma pedunculare (Wall. ex Laws.) Planch. sensu Banziger in Peninsular Malaysia

Anatomical characters often provide strong taxonomic evidence and help define many species whose morphological limits are in question. Tetrastigma systematic study also face difficulties because of the lacking in anatomical data, which is essential for systematic study. Therefore, this study aimed to study the leaf anatomy of Tetrastigma rafflesiae Planchon Gagnep and Tetrastigma pedunculare (Wall. ex Laws.) Planch. sensu Banziger, the host of Raifiesia and Rhizanthes in Peninsular Malaysia. Leaf samples were collected in their natural habitat at Gunung Bubu, Grik, Perak. Standard techniques in plant anatomy were employed, including analyses under light and scanning electron microscopy (SEAL) with observation on the petioles, midrib, laminas, leaf epidermis and also on the leaf venation. The results show the presence of trichome and arenchyma cell only at T. pedunculare. The number of medullary vascular bundle at T. rafflesiae only single but T. pedunculare are three. Therefore, the three characteristic can be used to differentiate these two species studied.