Comparative Anatomical Study of Leaves in Five Cupressaceae Gray. Taxa in Kurdistan Region - Iraq

This study investigates the leaf anatomy of five Cupressaceae taxa in Kurdistan region-Iraq. Using light microscope for numerical and descriptive anatomical variations three species two varieties belonging to Cupressus, Platycladus, Juniperus genera were examined Taxonomic value. These include characters epiderm, hypoderm, mesophyll layer, resin canals, transfusion tracheids, pith, vascular bundles. There are significant differences among studied genera. Cupressus exhibit a similar cross-sectional outline. arizonica has larger canal (125.4 µm) longer palisade cells (91.8×27 compared C. sempervirens varieties. Platycladus orientalis form wide rhombic outline, with an abaxial oxycedrus arizonica. J. triangle outline thick hypoderm that extends below entire except under stomatal depressions. While taxa, is restricted only surface leaf. J.oxycedrus lacks pith entirely, unlike where they polygonal or slightly straight at center bundle.