Anatomy and morphological characters were employed to identify four
samples of Tacca sp. (Belimbing Tanah) from different localities in Perak.
Anatomical characters including leaf epidermal characters, leaf venation, type
of stomata and trichomes were investigated through transverse sections,
epidermal peel and leaf clearing procedures. The outline and vascularization
of the sections were also investigated. Result has shown that Tacca from four
different localities in Perak were similar anatomically. However,
morphologically these four species can be differentiated mostly based on their
leaves, flowers and fruits. The leaf margins are slightly different of either
entire or denticulate, and the colours of floral bracts are either purplish-black
or purplish-black at the base gradually turns white to the apex. Eventhough
they are slightly different morphologically, Tacca of Gunung Lang and
Gunung Liang were suggested as T. chantrieri based on dichotomous key of
Kalkman which emphasizes on the shape of leaves, shape of seed and position
of involucral bracts. The reniform shape of the seed confirms that these Tacca
belong to T. chantrieri. Tacca of Sungai Dara and Royal Belum State Park
were also suggested as T. chantrieri based on their anatomical similarity to
Tacca of Gunung Lang and Gunung Liang. T. chantrieri is not commonly
recorded in Peninsular Malaysia as compared to T. Intergrifolia, it is therefore
recommended for further investigation.