Identification of grazed grasses using epidermal characters

The use of anatomical features of the abaxial epidermis of grasses is discussed for the identification of fragments of epidermis present in samples of rumen. The reliability of this technique, and the variation of the epidermal characters in two widely distributed species of grass, is given. A “Key” to identity certain genera of grasses occurring in Southern Africa, based on epidermal characters, is presented. The application of the technique to analyse rumen contents of .springbok and Merino sheep is shown.