Diagnostic micromorphological features of leaf surface of selected species of the genus Artemisia L. (Asteraceae)

The leaves of different species of the genus Artemisia show considerable inner and external structural diversity. This paper presents a comparative study of the micromorphological features of leaf surface for seven species from different regions of Ukraine: A. absinthium L., A. annua L., A. dracunculus L., A. marschalliana Spreng., A. vulgaris L., A. argyi H.Lév. & Vaniot, and A. verlotiorum Lamotte. The vegetative organs of these plants have potentially significant value as medicinal raw materials. This study was carried out using both light and scanning electron microscopy. The main diagnostic characteristics for each species – in terms of form and structure of epidermal cells, stomata, and trichomes (glandular and non-glandular) – were described and illustrated. Using combinations of selected qualitative micromorphological characteristics of the investigated species of Artemisia, it is possible to detect the species identity of these raw materials.