Characterisation of Phytolith Production and Their Taxonomic Use among Five Species of Aristida

Phytoliths are amorphous silicon dioxide depositions in and around the cells of certain plants. Phytoliths of Poaceae are of great importance in the field of taxonomy and Archeology. Present study confirms the use of phytolith characters in the delimitation of Aristida species. Five species of Aristida were included in the study. Various characters like presence or absence of prickle hairs, nature of margins in lobate phytoliths, shank length in relation to the length of lobes etc. proved to be promising characters in the delimitation of the taxa. A taxonomic key to the identification of species is also provided.