Morphological and Anatomical Diversity Study on three Species of <i>Amaranthus</i> namely; <i>A. hybridus L., A. viridis L.</i> and <i>A.spinosus L.</i> from Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

A study of morphological and anatomical diversity on three species of Amaranthus in the Amaranthaceae family namely; A. hybridus L., A.viridis L. and A. spinosus L. from the three senatorial district of Rivers state namely; Rivers East (upland), Rivers South East (upland) and Rivers West (coastal region) was studied to examine the diversity that exist even among similar species from different regions. Result obtained from this research showed high rate of diversity. Examination of the tran–sections of blades revealed uni–seriate epidermis, ground tissue with angular collenchyma and slender parenchyma. The vascular bundles shape had only crescent as the shape pattern. The midrib shape in cross section has three patterns in which arc, rounded and crescent bundle occurs. The examination of the petioles exhibits new and varied characters for A. viridis such as petiole shape (cross section), vascular bundles (shape, number, arrangement). While the resulted characters from the observation of the stem structure showed less variation. 52 quantitative and qualitative characters were achieved from morphological and anatomical characters and applied for construction of a dendogram using the Paleontological statistics (PAST) software which showed variation even among similar species from different senatorial district.Keywords: Amaranthus, Morphology, Anatomy, Diversity

Anatomical Characterization of Stems of Some Medicinal Plants of the Family Euphorbiaceae in Nigeria

“…Over the years, many plants are classified based on their flower and fruits which are considered as external morphological structures whose production are usually seasonal, hence limiting their availability for study and proper identification 20 . Currently, there are calls for some novel protocol for proper and easy identification of plants at any season of the year 21 . Plant anatomical studies of the vegetative organs like leaves, roots and stems which may be found at all seasons seem to be a solution to such challenges 21 .…”

“…Currently, there are calls for some novel protocol for proper and easy identification of plants at any season of the year 21 . Plant anatomical studies of the vegetative organs like leaves, roots and stems which may be found at all seasons seem to be a solution to such challenges 21 .…”

Foliar epidermal anatomy and its taxonomic implications within the family Euphorbiaceae in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

“…Also, a crucial subject of discussion among Plant taxonomists for years now is the problem of accurate plant identification and classification: a challenge which abounds among species of family Euphorbiaceae too [1,13,14]. For years now, a lot of plants are classified based on their flora and fruits which are considered as external morphological features whose production are seasonal, hence limiting their availability for study and proper identification [15,16]. Currently, there are quest for some novel protocols for easy and better identification of plant at any time or season of the year [15,16].…”

“…For years now, a lot of plants are classified based on their flora and fruits which are considered as external morphological features whose production are seasonal, hence limiting their availability for study and proper identification [15,16]. Currently, there are quest for some novel protocols for easy and better identification of plant at any time or season of the year [15,16]. Some method suggested includes: the use of cytological, anatomical, molecular and epidermal systematics from the leaves, roots and stems which are not time bound [15].…”

“…Currently, there are quest for some novel protocols for easy and better identification of plant at any time or season of the year [15,16]. Some method suggested includes: the use of cytological, anatomical, molecular and epidermal systematics from the leaves, roots and stems which are not time bound [15]. It is based on this foregoing reason that this study was carried out to investigate the detailed micromorphological features of the leaves of the selected species for taxonomic identification, delineation and validation of the species.…”