Stomata in Amaranthaceae (dicots)

 

Comparative foliar epidermal morphology of the West African Species of Amaranthaceae Juss.

by Ogundipe O. T., Kadiri A. B. (2013)

in Feddes Repertorium, 123(2): 97-116. – DOI: 10.1002/fedr.201100003 – 

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/fedr.201100003/abstract

Abstract

The species are generally amphistomatic except Pandiaka heudelotii that is hypostomatic.

Anomocytic and paracytic stomatal types were mostly found but cyclocytic and diacytic types may accompany, especially in Cyathula spp.

The anticlinal wall pattern varies from undulate to curved and curved-straight in the family.

Other useful epidermal features are peltate scales, trichomes of different types such as candelabra type, unicellular and multicellular conical types, long acicular glandular forms that may be tuberculate or non-tuberculate and the filiform type; all can be employed at species level for delimitation purpose.

Sub-familial grouping of the genera is supported while monophyly and polyphyly suggested in Gomphrenoideae and Amarantheae respectively can be inferred from the extent of character variations in the species.

An indented dichotomous key is presented for species delimitation.

Stomata in Momordica L., Luffa Mill. and Trichosanthes L. (Cucurbitaceae)

 Akeen Babalola KADIRI

Systematic significance of foliar epidermis and tendril morphology in three West African genera of Cucurbitaceae: Momordica L., Luffa Mill. and Trichosanthes L.

by Kadiri A. B., Olowokudejo J. D. (2016)

in Webbia · January 2016 – DOI: 10.1080/00837792.2015.1108683 –

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/289512774_Systematic_significance_of_foliar_epidermis_and_tendril_morphology_in_three_West_African_genera_of_Cucurbitaceae_Momordica_L_Luffa_Mill_and_Trichosanthes_L

Figure 1. Leaf epidermal characters of West African species of Momordica. (A, C, E, G) Adaxial surfaces. (B, D, F, H) Abaxial surfaces. (A, B) Momordica angustisepala; (C, D) Momordica balsamina, a = stoma on the adaxial surface; (E, F) Momordica cabraei; (G, H) Momordica charantia.

Abstract

Momordica, Luffa and Trichosanthes are important cucurbitaceous plants whose foliar epidermal characters are sparsely documented.

A combined investigation of leaf epidermis and tendrils of the species was carried out with the aid of light and scanning electron microscopy, and visual assessment.

Figure 2. Leaf epidermal characters of West African species of Momordica. (A, C, E) Adaxial surfaces. (B, D, F) Abaxial surfaces. (A, B) Momordica cissoides; (C, D) Momordica foetida; (E, F) Momordica multiflora.

All Momordica species have hypostomatic leaves except M. balsamina whose leaves are amphistomatic. This adds to our knowledge of range of stomatal distribution in Momordica which hitherto, is reported hypostomatic. It also raises doubt about the naturalness of Sect. Momordica. Only M. multiflora is glabrous and M. angustisepala alone is pubescent on the epidermal surfaces.

Epidermis of Luffa is amphistomatic and non-cystolithic whereas, it is hypostomatic and cystolithic in Trichosanthes.

Tendrils branches arise from the base in Luffa (3–4 in number) and Trichosanthes (2–3 in number) whereas in Momordica they may not branch or are bifurcated, with one being vestigial.

These comparative data support classifying the three genera in separate tribes. In particular, characters of the leaf epidermis will assist in identifying the species even when the leaf samples are fragmentary, or when there is a mix-up, the usual state of herbal materials in the African markets.

Stomata in Uapaca (Euphorbiaceae)

Photo credit: Google

Uapaca togoensis

Comparative leaf epidermal morphology of five West African species of Uapaca baill (Phyllanthaceae pro forma Euphorbiaceae)

by Kadiri A. B., Ayodele A. E., Olowokudejo J. D., Uchemefuna D. (2013)

in Nigerian Journal of Botany 2013

– http://nijbot.org/?m=201309&paged=2

Foliar epidermal features of the species of Uapaca. A, B: U. heudelotii; C, D: U. paludosa; E, F: U. staudtii. Note the straight anticlinal wall and the polygonal cells. A,C, E: Adaxial surface and B, D, F: Abaxial surface. Bar scale is 50µm. – http://nijbot.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Images.jpg

ABSTRACT
The taxonomy of Euphorbiaceae was recently reviewed based on morphology and molecular data and more data are still being produced to enhance comprehension of the component taxa.

Therefore, in this study, we have contributed additional taxonomically useful data on the leaf epidermis of Uapaca which is now in the new family segregate, Phyllanthaceae of Euphorbiaceae by the means of light microscopy.

Generic constant features are polygonal cell shape, straight anticlinal wall pattern, hypostomatic leaf, paracytic and anomocytic stomata types.

Distinguishing characteristics are absence of anisocytic stomata in U.  staudtii, presence of pericytic stomata in U. heudelotii and U. paludosa and presence of tetracytic stomata in U. vanhouttei.

Other taxonomically useful features are possession of conical non-glandular trichomes in U. togoensis on both surfaces but which are restricted to the abaxial surface in U. vanhouttei as well as presence of crystals of calcium oxalate in U. staudtii and U. togoensis.

In the genus, the stomatal index ranges from 22.4% to 34%.

The taxonomic relationship is discussed and an artificial indented dichotomous key for separating the species is presented.

Read the full article: NJB

Stomata in Portulacaceae (dicots)

 

Comparative foliar micro-morphological characters of the species of Portulacaceae in Nigeria

by Kadiri A. B. (2006)

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in Bulletin of Pure & Applied Sciences-Botany, 2006,

Portulacaceae is a medium-sized family of annual or perennial, more or less succulent herbs or sub-shrubs. The family is cosmopolitan and it is more centred in South Africa and America. It has 19 genera and 500 species across the world (Heywood,1978). In Nigeria, only 2 genera and 6 species are present (Hutchinson and Dalziel, 1954). The species in the family have both medicinal and nutritional values and these species are Talinum triangulare (Jacq.) Willd., T. cuneifolium (Willd.) DC, Portulaca oleracea Linn., P. foliosa Ker-Gawl, P. grandiflora Hook. and P. quadrifida Linn. Portulaca oleracea is used for treating swellings, bruises, ear-ache, tooth-ache and to control palpitation and other cardiovascular diseases (Evans, 1996; Dalziel, 1937). Members of the family are also used as vegetables, potherb and salad.

The taxonomic treatments of the family have elucidated the importance of both morphological and anatomical characters in the recognition of the species (Hutchinson and Dalziel, 1954; Nyananyo and Olowokudejo, 1986). However, there is insufficient information on microscopic characters of the members of the family which can easily aid their recognition. Apart from this, the opinion of Heywood, (1978), that some genera of the family are ill-defined and that they can be distinguished from one another by microscopic features also encouraged the present study. In addition, the need to contribute more data to enhance understanding of the taxonomy of the family is another reason for the study. The use of foliar epidermal characters in distinguishing species and genera has been reported by workers (Fontenelle, et al, 1994; Kadiri and Ayodele 2003; Nyananyo and Olowokudejo, 1986; Ogundipe and Adegbite,1991, Ogundipe and Wujek, 2004; Singh and Dube, 1993). In the present study, both quantitative and qualitative micro-characters of the leaves of the six species of the family occurring in Nigeria are presented to elucidate their differences and similarities.

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The leaves are generally amphistomatic, with more stomata present on the abaxial surface. Stomata are usually paracytic on the abaxial surface whereas they are hemi-paracytic to paracytic on the adaxial surface of all the species.

Read the full article: The Free Library

Stomata in Afzelia (Fabaceae)

 Photo credit: Scielo

Epidermis de las especies de Afzelia en Africa occidental. A. africana; A. pachyloba; A. bipindensis. b, d, f: superficie abaxial. Escala = 50µm.

Comparative foliar epidermal morphology of the West African species of the genus Afzelia (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae)

by Kadiri A. B., Olowokudejo J. D. (2008)

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in Gayana Bot. 65(1): 84-92 –

ABSTRACT

The epidermal features of the leaves of the six West African species of Afzelia were examined and compared using light and scanning electron microscopy.

A. bracteata; A. bella var. bella; A. bella var. gracilior. b, d, f: superficie abaxial. Escala = 50µm. – http://www.scielo.cl/fbpe/img/gbot/v65n1/fig2-8.jpg

The leaves are hypostomatic in all species and stomatal type is paracytic. Anticlinal walls may be undulate or straight-curved and stomatal index ranges from 17.48% in A. bella var. gracilior to 25.20% in A. bipindensis. Porrect and flattened scales distinguish the infra-specific taxa of A. bella while presence of unicellular trichomes separates A. pachyloba from other species.

The leaf surface is entirely covered by epicuticular wax deposits and the stomata are either raised or sunken in the genus. Using these foliar epidermal characters, an artificial key has been prepared to facilitate identification of the species.

Read the full article: Scielo