Abstract:
Leaves of Vachellia tortilis were collected along the national road (N1) in Limpopo province, South Africa. Variations
in the epidermal structure of stomata and presence of trichomes amongst V. tortilis in nine different stations selected along
the study site were investigated. In this study leaves of V. tortilis were found to be hypostomatic. The epidermal cell
revealed a polygonal structure only. Anticlinal walls were either straight or curved. Trichomes recorded showed a nonglandular unicellular conical shape. Stomata types observed were paracytic and anisocytic with single subsidiary cell. In
comparison the frequency of epidermal cells was higher than that of guard cells. Stomatal index and frequencies of stomata
and epidermal cells were also recorded and compared.
