Leaf anatomy in the family Moraceae

Moraceae, morphologically, is a heterogeneous family of trees, shrubs, lianes and herbs growing mainly in the tropics and subtropics, with a few species in temperate regions of both hemispheres. Leaf anatomy of 63 species in 32 genera is described. Characters of taxonomic value within the family include the shape of epidermal cells, cuticle striation and type of hairs. Characters of diagnostic importance at the family level include the occurrence of cystoliths and crystals in the mesophyll, the presence of hypodermis and laticifers, anomocytic stomata (except in Dorstenia species where mainly anisocytic), usually dorsiventral mesophyll, with a palisade tissue of 1-3 layers in several genera (but Dorstenia species with short, distinctively lobed cells). Leaf anatomy shows characteristic features within the family, but the family forms such a closely knit complex that some tribes and genera are difficult to delimit.