Comparative anatomy of Stem,petiole and flower stalks and its significance in the taxonomy of some members of cucurbits

We compared the anatomy of the flower stalk (male and female) anatomy,stem,petiole,tendrils and median vein shape of three representative members of cucurbitaceae (citrullus lanatus,cucumeropsis mannii and citrullus colocynthis). these materials (flower stalks of the male,female,midrib,petiole and the tendril) were fixed in faa,wax embedded,sectioned,stained and photographed with leitz diaplan photomicroscope fitted with leica wild mps 52 camera. the midrid and lamina anatomy of these species showed clear variations in the layers of mesophyll,number and arrangement of vascular bunbles which are of taxonomic significance and are reported for the first time. these anatomical features suggest taxonomic affinity amongst the species and enhance the delimitation of the species. it also strengthens the fact that the species maintained as separate species and confirm the fact that the anatomical characteristics of the stem,petiole,flower stalks,midrib and leaf lamina are an important line of evidence in classification of these species. © 2017 jordan journal of biological sciences.