Phytolith Morphology of Leaf Epidermal Cells of Oryza L.

Epidermal leaf cell phytoliths of 17 species of Oryza were examined with backscattered electron imaging with scanning electron microscopy to determine the usefulness of phytolith morphology for systematic studies. Many kinds of identifiable phytolith morphology are observed in the leaf blades of Oryza. They are different among species as well as between adaxial and abaxial surface and costal and intercostal strip portions of leaf blades. Distinguishing phytolith characters are useful at the level of the section, such as Angustifoliae, Ridleyanae, and Granulatae. The results of a cluster analysis using 21 qualitative characters of phytoliths reveal many taxonomic characteristics which are compatible with current taxonomy.