Study on morphology, growth and anatomical characters of leaf in some lady’s slipper orchids (Paphiopedilum spp.)

Abstract

Lady’s slipper is an attractive orchid and valued ornamental pot, and rarely endangered plant. The study on growth and anatomical characteristics is also an important data for using identification and classification in plants. Paphiopedilum of 4 species: Paphiopedilum villosum (Lindl.) Stein, Paphiopedilum exul (Ridl.) Rolfe, Paphiopedilum callosum (Rchb.F.) Pfitz., and Paphiopedilum sukhakulii Schoder & Senghas were collected at greenhouse in DoiPui Research Station, Chiangmai province. Leaves of them were studied growth by data collecting of leaf number, leaf width and length between September 2018 – October 2019, and morphological and anatomical characteristics. The result showed that the leaves slowly grew in number of leaf, and leaf width and length. Addition, leaf shape, leaf color, and leaf spot and marking of them were founded obviously differences. As leaf anatomical characteristics which were studied by using leaf blade cutin cross section method, cells and tissues in upper and lower epidermis, and vascular bundle in midrib were found that each species has specific in those. Particularly, the anatomical characteristic deal with the leaf spot and marking was finding of idioblast cells. These can be able to arrange into groups by each morphological and anatomical characteristics in basic data for species identification and classification.