Diversity of Trichomes in Calliandra haematocephala Hassk. (Caesalpinioideae DC., Fabaceae Lindl.)

Objective: High structural diversity of trichomes in the members of family Fabaceae Lindl. has been a subject of study from decades. The present study was aimed to study structural diversity of trichomes in Power Puff Tree (Calliandra haematocephala,Caesalpinioideae, Fabaceae) a pan-tropical ornamental tree.

Methods: Plant specimens were collected from the campus of Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology Pantnagar (India) during the year 2020. Plant species was identified with the help of relevant Floras. Fresh plant material was used for vestiture and trichome study under light microscope using standard anatomical procedures. Illustrations of trichomes were drawn by using prism type camera lucida and photographs were taken at different magnifications. Standard terminology of trichome types given by payne 1978 was adopted to describe different structural types of trichomes.

Results: Nine different types of glandular and non-glandular trichomes were recorded in Calliandra haematocephala Hassk. Four different vestiture types were recorded on the surfaces of studied parts. Trichomes were found present in all vegetative parts and some reproductive parts viz; peduncle, bracts, bracteole, petals while other reproductive parts like sepals, filaments, anther, ovary, style and stigma were found completely glabrous. Present study suggests that trichome morphology and distribution on different plant parts can be used to identify plant species. Calliandra haematocephala Hassk. can be identified in its vegetative phase of life when floral parts are lacking or fragmentary.