Leaf epidermal anatomy of selected Persicaria Mill. species of the family Polygonaceae revealed
variation in size and shape of epidermal cells, stomata, glandular and non glandular trichomes. This
study proves to be taxonomically important tool in the delimitation of taxa. Epidermal cell shapes are
variable but mostly polygonal. Five different stomatal patterns are reported for Persicaria Mill. Two
types of non glandular trichomes are observed only in P. barbata, P. stagnina and P. orientalis which
serve as their distinguishing characters. Glandular trichomes are 1, 2 and 4-celled peltate, capitate and
spheroidal. Cluster analyses elucidate relationship among different taxa by utilization of leaf epidermal
characters.