Anatomical Study of Limestone Zingiberaceae Species in Jeli District, Kelantan

Abstract

Zingiberaceae is the largest family in order Zingiberales and commonly known as aromatic rhizomatous herbs. Few earlier studies recorded the successful adaptation of wild gingers in limestone area. The preliminary study was carried out to investigate the difference in the anatomical characters between limestone and non-limestone ginger species. A total of four wild ginger species from limestone and non-limestone area were selected and the leaf surfaces, pseudostem, rhizome and root were used in this study. Qualitative study revealed different concentration of vascular bundle in vegetative parts between limestone and non-limestone species meanwhile quantitative study exhibited the differences in sizes of veins on leaf epidermis. The anatomy changes in the studied samples were mainly influenced by the differences of nutrients concentration in limestone and non-limestone areas due to their adaptations on different habitats.