Studies on the Vegetation of Mauritius: II. The Effect of Environment on Certain Features of Leaf Structure

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Abstract
The variation in certain features of leaf morphology under dry and humid conditions has been investigated for 9 indigenous species. The factors selected include leaf area and form, stomatal and epidermal cell frequency and area. Meteorological data for the 2 localities are compared and the climate briefly described. It is shown that dry conditions induce considerable changes in leaf form, and that these modifications are related to heterophylly, the xeromorphic significance of which is discussed. Stomatal frequency is specific in character and a considerable increase is found under dry conditions, accompanied by a small decrease in area. The increase in frequency is partly due to an increase in the stomate mother cells. The percentage area of leaf covered by stomata is found to be greater in the lowlands. Lower epidermal cells show a smaller increase in frequency in the lowlands and the decrease in area is also small and comparable with that of the stomata. The problem of variability in the individual and between individuals of the same species is discussed and the need for further research along these lines is indicated.

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