Comparative anatomy of tendril and fruit stalk in Curcubitaceae Juss. from Nigeria

Abstract

Comparative anatomy of the fruit stalk and tendril of nine (9) species representing 8 genera of Cucurbits from Nigeria has been carried out to complement the existing taxonomic data on the family. Fresh plant materials from representative members of the genera Zehneria, Luffa, Momordica, Coccinnia, Telfairia, Cucurbita, Lagenaria and Cucumis collected from the wild during field trips to various parts of Nigeria were used for this study. The specimens were wax embedded, sectioned, stained and photographed with Leitz Diaplan photomicroscope fitted with Leica WILD MPS 52 camera. The findings of this study showed that there are similarities and variations in the shape, number and size of vascular bundles, nature of epidermis, layers and nature of sclerenchymatuous, chllenchymatuous and chlorenchymatuous cells in the fruit stalk and tendril could be used to delimit the species of Cucurbitaceae in Nigeria. The variation in number and layers of these tissues among the species studied include vascular bundles (4 -22 in fruit stalk, 4 -10 in tendril), sclerenchymatuous cells (1 -8 layers in both tendril and fruit stalk), chlorenchymatuous cells (1 -8 layers in both tendril and fruit stalk) and collenchymatuous cells (1 -6 layers in friut stalks, 2 -6 layers in tendrils). Druses and prismatic crystals were observed among the species and the taxonomic implications of these features are discussed and represent the first report on the anatomy of fruit stalk of these cucurbits from Nigeria.

Vegetative anatomy and endorrhizal fungal morphology of an endangered medicinal plant Gloriosa superba L.

“…However, lignification of the epidermal cells and cells in subepidermal layer in the distal part of the coiled tendril might help to fasten the plant on to the support. In line with the observations of the present study, thick‐walled cells in different regions have been reported in the leaf tendrils of other monocot species (Ekeke et al, 2015; Rjosk et al, 2018). In tendrils of monocots, the adaxial subepidermal cells develop thickening initially to support the tendril and later these cells are sclerified and forms a band around the vascular bundles.…”

“…In tendrils of monocots, the adaxial subepidermal cells develop thickening initially to support the tendril and later these cells are sclerified and forms a band around the vascular bundles. This provides mechanical strength to the tendrils to anchor the plant during the climbing process (Ekeke et al, 2015; Rjosk et al, 2018). In the previous study, papillate or conical epidermal cells were reported in tendrils of the monocot leaf climber Flagellaria indica L. (Rjosk et al, 2018).…”

Floral Structural Characteristics of some Economic Cucurbits in Egypt

“…7h). The results are in harmony with the finding of Ekeke et al (2015) who found that among the different representatives of the genera studied, the shape of the fruit stalk varied from one genus to another the fruit stalk is fairly triangular, 4-angled, 6-angled, 5-angled, irregular and oval or spherical.…”

“…The cuticle was smooth in all studied taxa. In male flowers, the cuticle layer varies in thickness from 2.17 The results are in harmony with the finding of Ekeke et al (2015) who found that the nature of epidermis in the fruit stalk had only 1-layer and was predominantly oval in shape.…”

Short Communication: Further morphological evidence for separating Mukia Arn. from Cucumis L.

“…Anatomical data are useful for characterizing, revealing plant evolution and genetic relationships among species since they are less affected by the environment. The previous study showed that the anatomical characteristics of fruit stalks and tendrils can be used to distinguish among species within Cucurbitaceae (Ekeke et al 2015). Variations of stomatal types among some Cucurbitaceae members are paracytic, diacytic, anisocytic, actinocytic, syclocytic, and staurocytic (Abdulrahaman et al 2011).…”