Author(s): S. A. Odewo, O. E. Nwankwo*, I. M. Adeniyi and E. C. Odozie

Affiliation: *Department of Applied Biology, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria

Abstract: Comparative studies of Petiveria alliacea and Hilleria latifolia of the family Petiveriaceae were carried out to provide diagnostic features of the taxa based on foliar anatomy. Conventional practical methods as reported by previous authors of related studies were employed to carry out the studies. There was presence of irregular cell shape, undulate and straight to curved anticlinal walls with paracytic stomata on abaxial and adaxial surfaces of P. alliacea and H. latifolia. The two taxa differ with the presence of starch grains on the anticlinal cell wall of H. latifolia. The foliar anatomy of the two species (H. latifolia and P. alliacea) shows consistent and uniform concentric vascular bundle, irregular parenchyma cells, large and single central vascular bundle. The midrib portion of H. latifolia shows single vascular bundle in concentric shape, irregularly arranged parenchyma cells are common. The pores are solitary, round and numerous with large vessels. Dorsiventral orientations of the leaf with 2 layered palisade tissues are observed in H. latifolia while the midrib portion of P. alliacea shows a single vascular bundle in concentric shape, irregularly arranged parenchyma cells; pores are solitary round and numerous with large vessel. Leaf orientation of P. alliacea is isobilateral containing spongy parenchyma cells.

DOI: 10.22271/2582-3744.2020.jun.54

Pages: 54-58 | Views: 1552 | Downloads: 1071

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