Presented in Association with the Western New Mexico University Department
of Natural Sciences
Grass Leaf Cross Sections
We all learn to identify grass genera using sets of dichotomous keys. These keys usually require a dissecting microscope to discern characters such as the number of veins on a lemma. Arriving at just the proper grass genus using a dichotomous key can be an arduous task for the beginner. To make a cross section of the grass leaf requires a compound microscope and some learned skills. From that point, however, grass genera may be separated fairly easily based on the microscopic appearance of the leaf cross section. Here are some representative genera and species. The point is to see that they look different and can be differentiated from each other this way, even though it may not be as practical as differentiating them with a dichotomous key and dissecting scope!
Please click on an image for a larger file.
