MICROMORPHOLOGY, ANATOMY AND HISTOCHEMISTRY OF TECOMARIA CAPENSIS LEAVES

Morphoanatomical and histochemical studies hold significance in the classification, identification, and furthering of our understanding of plants and their interactions with environments. These investigations aid in improving our understanding of the adaptive strategies of plants, which are impacted by both abiotic and biotic elements. Tecomaria capensis a native southern African plant has often been used in traditional medicinal practices. However, there is a lack of specific studies on the physical characteristics and microstructures of the plant. This study aimed to analyze the morphoanatomy of the leaves of T. capensis. The analysis of the microstructures present was accomplished using microscopy (stereomicroscopy, compound light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy) and histochemical analysis. The investigations revealed two distinct trichome types on the abaxial and adaxial leaf surfaces, namely glandular and non-glandular trichomes. The histochemical analysis suggests the presence of phenolics, which are known to have healing properties in humans. This study reported on the morphoanatomy of the surface structures present on T. capensis leaves, including their distribution, basic function, and chemical composition.