Comparative Morphoanatomy of Piper betle L. cultivars in India

The study presents comparative morpho-anatomical information of 10 common cultivars of Piper betle species available in India. The ten cultivars show some structural similarities. Four layered upper and two layered lower epidermis was observed in all the varities of P. betle studied. Crystals and oil reserves were found in the epidermal cells. The Kapoori Tuni variety has more stomatal and trichome frequency. Multi cellular tector trichomes were seen on the abaxial face of midrib. Presence of parenchymatous bundle sheath was observed in all the varities but it was sclerenchymatous in Jaleswar. The developments of tracheoids idioblasts from the vessel elements have been noticed. These tracheoids are suggested to have store water. They are connected to the vein endings in the leaves and cortex in the petiole. These characteristics are typical xeromorphic anatomy of leaves which could be preserved the aroma and shelf-life longivity of betel leaves.