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| Taxonomic Significance of the Vegetative Anatomy of Five Species in the Family Malvaceae in Rivers State, Nigeria |
Janet E. Udofia, Blessing O. Green, Mercy G. Ajuru
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Abstract:
This study investigated the leaf foliar epidermal features of five species in the family Malvaceae. The five species studied were Hibiscus rosa- sinensis, Abelmoschus esculentus, Abelmoschus caillei, Sida acuta and Sida rhombifolia. The Malvaceae family consists of herbs, shrubs or lianas although there are some trees. The aim of this study was to investigate the foliar epidermal anatomy of five species belonging to three genera of the Malvaceae family with the view to finding additional characters of taxonomic importance for the delimitation of the family and to further enhance the understanding of the taxonomic relationships in the genera. Foliar epidermal peels were obtained by standard methods, and examined using a light microscope with photographs taken using a micrograph unit. The results indicated that patterns of the epidermal cell walls were undulating, sinuous and waxy and the shapes were predominantly polygonal to irregular. Leaves were amphistomatic except in H. rosa sinensis and S. rhombifolia. Six stomatal types (Anisocytic, anomocytic, diacytic, amphepericytic, paracytic, anomalous stomata) were identified in the species and were considered taxonomically diagnostic in delimiting the species. Anisocytic and anomocytic stomata were present in almost all the species. Stomatal index was highest in S. acuta and lowest in A. esculentus. Unicellular and granular trichomes were observed in all the studied species except in A. caillei and S. rhombifolia. Stellate trichomes were observed in S. acuta only. Druse crystals were present on the adaxial surfaces of H. rosa sinensis and S. acuta and on the abaxial surfaces of A. caillei and A. esculentus. The results obtained in the study could be used as diagnostic tools for delimiting the species
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