title: Leaf epidermal features of Salix species (Salicaceae) and their systematic significance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The classification of the genus Salix has historically been intrinsically difficult due to its propensity toward plasticity and high variation in diagnostic morphological characters. We investigated leaf epidermal characteristics, focusing on the stomatal apparatus because it may provide critical insights into the evolution and taxonomy of Salix and its closely related genera.
  
  
  METHODS
  Light microscopy was used to examine the leaf epidermal features in 32 taxa of Salix.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Characters such as shape, size, and density of stomatal complexes were very useful in differentiating Salix species. Variation in features of stomatal apparatus in Salix is wider than previously known. Moreover, the type of stomatal complex proved to be very helpful in discriminating Chosenia as members of the genus Salix.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the present study support the placement of Chosenia within Salix and the combining of subgenera Chamaetia and Vetrix because of similarities in their unique stomatal apparatus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University (Tarbiat Moallem University), 43 Dr. Mofatteh Avenue, Tehran, Iran. ghahremaninejad@tmu.ac.ir
authors.forename: Farrokh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ghahremaninejad
authors.forename: Zohreh
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Khalili
authors.forename: Ali Asghar
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Maassoumi
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mirzaie-Nodoushan
authors.forename: Mehrshid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Riahi
mesh_terms: D019441:Plant Epidermis / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000166:cytology; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000166:cytology; D032108:Salix / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000145:classification* / Q000166:cytology; D013045:Species Specificity