earticle

영어

The succulent leaves of Aloe have been widely used for medicinal and cosmetic industries. In this study, a comparative foliar anatomy in six cultivated Aloe species in Korea was carried out using light microscopy. These taxa show characteristics similar to those found in other Aloe species within the genus. The leaves of six cultivated species in this study are amphistomatic, tetracytic, and sunken stomata. The size range of the stomata and stomata index (SI) are 26.8-60.9 × 18.0-48.5 μm (length × width), 1.0-11.9, respectively. Epidermal cells varied from rectangular to hexagon, with distinctive striate anticlinal wall. Druse, raphides, and styloids oxalate crystals are also found in the parenchyma cells. Moreover, xerophytic features which adapted to survive in water stressed condition are briefly discussed. These results of the anatomical characteristics of studied taxa could provide essential information for identifying species as herbal medicinal resources in Aloe family.