LEAF EPICUTICULAR AND POLLEN ULTRASTRUCTURAL COMPARISONS OF SONNERATIA APETALA BUCH.-HAM. AND S. CASEOLARIS (L.) ENGLER (SONNERATIACEAEA)

Sonneratia apetala and S. caseolaris are easily distinguishable by leaf epicuticular and pollen ultrastructure. S. apetala shows fine, distinct, intermingled rodlets of wax crystalloids on leaf surface with sunken stomata. In the contrary S. caseolaris shows wide, indistinct, rodlets of wax crystalloids with exposed stomata. Epicuticular structures enlighten an important adaptation toward transpiration control according to their area of occupancy in saline habitat. Pollens of the both species show the phenomenon of harmomegathy. Harmomegathic effect is pronounced in S. apetala.