THE MORPHOLOGICAL AND ANATOMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BAUHINIA PLANTS COLLECTED IN THAI NGUYEN, VIETNAM

Abstract

The Bauhinia genus includes 192 species of shrubs or trees with beautiful flowers distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Bauhinia is an ornamental and medicinal plant. Currently, Bauhinia is commonly grown as an ornamental plant in Vietnam. The objective of this study is to determine the differences based on the analysis of morphological characteristics and microanatomy of roots, stems, and leaves of the Bauhinia acuminata compared to the Bauhinia variegata and the Bauhinia variegata var. candida. Using the method of morphological analysis and microanatomy of roots stems, and leaves, it was determined that most of the morphological characteristics and microanatomy of roots, stems, and leaves of the three Bauhinia species are similar. The differences between the B. acuminata and the B. variegata and the B. variegata var. candida are shown in the flower color, the number of stamens, the shape and morphology of the secondary leaf veins, the cork layer and woody tissue structure in the roots, the hair layer, the epidermis and the bark parenchyma in the stem. These detailed differences can be used to distinguish the B. acuminata from the B. variegata and the B. variegata var. candida.