PAPER TITLE :COMPARATIVE EPIDERMAL MORPHOLOGY AND PETIOLE ANATOMICAL STUDY OF ACALYPHA HISPIDA BURM. F AND ACALYPHA WILKESSIANA MUELL. ARG VARIETIES (EUPHORBIACEAE).

FUTA JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE | VOLUME 11 NUMBER 2 2015

Paper Details

  • Author(s) : O. T. Oladipo, S. O. Olanrewaju and J. A. Akinloye
  • Abstract:

Epidermal morphology and petiole anatomy of some members of the genus Acalypha: Acalypha hispida Burm, Acalypha wilkesiana Mull. Arg and Acalypha wilkesiana var. Java White in Nigeria were investigated to establish and document taxonomic data that could help in the proper identification, delineation and classification of the taxa. Leaf epidermal peels and transverse sections of the petiole of each species were made (with the aid of a Riechert sliding microtome). Staining and counter staining were done using Safranin O and Alcian blue. The epidermal surfaces and cross sections of petioles were observed with the aid of light microscope Quantitative and qualitative characters observed were documented.  Results revealed close similarity among the taxa in the shape of epidermal cells, stomata types and trichome morphology. Wavy anticlinal wall is classificatory of A. hispida and A. wilkesiana var. Java white while epidermal cells with undulating anticlinal wall are diagnostic of A. wilkesiana.  Parallelocytic stomata are classificatory of A. wilkesiana and A. hispida while staurocytic stomata is common to A. wilkesiana and its variety. Absence of medullary bundles separates A. wilkesiana var. Java White from other taxa. The anatomical characters observed can be used in the identification, delimitation and classification of these species. Keywords: Acalypha, delimitation, foliar anatomy, taxonomy, stomata