Structure, Ontogeny and Taxonomic Significance of Stomata in Some Cucurbitaceae

AbstractStomatal structure, ontogeny in vegetative and floral organs of 9 genera and 12 species of Cucurbitaceae are described. The stomatal types conform to aperigenous, monoperigenous, diperigenous, hemipara‐mesoperigenous and para‐mesoperigenous types of Fryns‐Claessens & Van Cotthem (1973). Stomatal abnormalities such as contiguous stomata, single guard cells with or without pore, one and a half stomata, degeneration of one or both the guard cells, cytoplasmic connections between guard cells of neighbouring stomata and a guard cell of a stoma and an adjacent epidermal cell, and division of guard cells are described. Stomata index, frequency of stomata, epidermal cells, size of guard and epidermal cells and organwise distribution of stomata are given. Stomatal studies does not support the view that the Cucurbitaceae are related to the Passifloraceae. The inclusion of 9 genera and 12 species studied in the tribe Cucumerineae is justified.