Abstract

STUDY OF LEAF ARCHITECTURE IN ELEVEN SPECIES OF CINNAMOMUM BLUME OF FAMILY LAURACEAE

*Ulka Chodankar and Meenakshi Vaidya

Abstract

The genus Cinnamomum is economically important as its species are good source of timber and used for boat making due to its durability. Cinnamomum tamala is used as a substitute for Cinnamomum zeylanicum which is used as a spice. The leaves and bark are a good source of tannins and used in colic and indigestion. The roots and bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum also yield camphor. The morphological key to the species of Cinnamomum is based on size of leaves, number of nerves on the leaves, buds and length of inflorescence. The key to venation will aid in the identification of the different species of Cinnamomum and help in the correct identification of the species. Eleven species of Cinnamomum were taken up for the present study. The type of venation is pinnate camptodromous with festooned brochidodromous secondaries, acrodromous with perfect basal and perfect suprabasal secondaries were found. Further separation was possible based on highest vein order.

Keywords: Cinnamomum, pinnate Camptodromous, acrodromous, basal, suprabasal.