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This study describes the comprehensive micromorphology and taxonomic evidence of 28 species of Annonaceae from Nigeria and the Cameroons using light microscopy to provide additional anatomical and morphological diagnostic characters to complement the systematics boundaries of the infrafamilial and tribal clades. The epidermal cell shape varies from polygonal to irregular on both or either surface except Annona reticulata with isodiametric on the adaxial surface. The anticlinal wall patterns are either undulated, straight, or curved in the family. The constant generic feature encountered includes hypostomata which are mostly paracytic except in Cananga odorata, Isolona zenkeri, Uvaria angolensis and Letestudoxa bella possessing pericytic, 1 + 2 laterocytic and stephanocytic, respectively. Hemiparacytics, brachyamphiparacytic and brachyparacytic stomata, which are variables of paracytic are also present. These stomata complexes proved useful in species delimitation and diagnostic of the family Annonaceae. Other foliar epidermal features were crystals of different shapes and sizes mainly of druses and styloid, unicellular trichome type, and anticlinal wall pattern. The pattern of affinity among the species suggested evidence of similarity and differences in the micromorphological characters, which cumulated to the distinct identification of each species. Based on the most reliable characters within the family, the k‐means cluster, distance matrix, correlation coefficient, and UPGMA dendrogram tree were constructed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foliar and petiole micro-morphological characteristics of some members of the genus Vernonia namely; Vernonia amygdalina Del. (bitter variety), Vernonia amygdalina Del. (non-bitter variety), Vernonia cinerea (L) Less., Vernonia galamensis (Cass.) Less., and Vernonia adoensis Sch. Bip. in Jos, Nigeria was investigated to provide additional micro-morphological characters to support existing taxonomic information regarding the species. Epidermal peels of fresh leaves were made and transverse sections of petio les were cut using a rotary microtome. Staining was done using Safranin and slides observed using a light microscope. Quantitative characters were measured and subjected to Duncan Multiple Range Test. Stomatal distribution was amphistomatic except for V. galamensis and V. cinerea with hypostomatic distribution; stomata type was mostly anomocytic except V. galamensis with paracytic stomata. Stomata index varied among taxa with V. adoensis and V. amygdalina (bitter variety) having the highest (10.84 %) and lowest (0.67%) respectively. Anticlinal cell wall patterns were straight to slightly undulate while wavy anticlinal cell wall pattern was diagnostic to V. cinerea. Trichome types observed were glandular and multicellular uniseriate with highest and lowest trichome indices recorded in V. adoensis (2.80%) and V. galamensis (0.02%) respectively. Petiole outline was convex to concave, epidermis was uniseriate, trichome multicellular uniseriate and vascular bundles bicollateral. Variations observed in the stomatal complex, epidermal cell complex, petiole outline, petiole vasculature type, trichome and stomata indices could be employed for species identification and delimitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The epidermal characters of leaves and anatomical characters of petioles and young stems of some members of the genus Chrysophyllum, viz. C. albidum, C. perpulchrum, C. cainito, and C. delevoyi were analyzed to determine their diagnostic features. Paracytic stomata, crystal sand, prismatic crystals, secretory canals occurred in all the species. All the species are hypostomatic except C. perpulchrum. The midribs of all species have an open semi-circular vascular system except in C. cainito with a closed system. Midrib and petiole of C. albidum and C. cainito have non-glandular T-shaped trichomes. Accessory bundles are only seen in the petioles of C. delevoyi, and in the midribs of C. albidum and C. cainito. The midrib and petiole of C. delevoyi and C. albidum have a central bundle. Laticifers, prismatic and sand crystals occur mainly in the cortical cells, pith cells, xylem, phloem, and mesophyll. Lamina of all species studied showed uniseriate epidermis except C. cainito which has two layers of the adaxial epidermis. The stomatal index, the ratio of the spongy to palisade mesophyll thickness, the ratio of cortex thickness, outline, number, and arrangement of the vascular bundles in the midrib, petiole, and young stem differ and are valuable diagnostic features in Chrysophyllum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taxonomic studies were carried out on F. capensis, F. thonningii and F. umbellata based on macro-morphology and foliar epidermis to specifically state the diagnostic features of the three species used as vegetable. The young leaves of the species are very delicious vegetables. Standard methods were used for the studies. The results of the studies showed that the leaf shape was elliptic in F. thonningii and F. capensis and ovate in F. umbellata. Results of the studies showed considerable variations of leaf size among the three species studied. The leaf length of the F. capensis ranged from 7.0-11.0 cm with the mean of 10.5, the width ranges from 4.9-9.0 cm with the mean of 7.0 while the leaf length of F. thonningii ranged from 6.0-10.7 cm with the mean 9.8, leaf width ranged from 4.7-8.2 cm with the mean 5.0. The length of the F. umbellata ranged from 7.6-13.4 cm with the mean 9.0, the width ranged from 5.9-11.2 cm with the mean 8.0. The three species studied were hypostomatic as anomocytic stomata were common on the abaxial surfaces of F. capensis and F. thonningii while pericytic stomata were present in F. umbellata. Oblong-elliptic leaf shape with crenate margin, leaf apex: acute, leaf and fruit size, pentagonal epidermal cell shape are unique to F. capensis. Ficus thonningii possesses elliptic leaf shape, apiculate leaf apex and hexagonal epidermal cell shape while F. umbellata has ovate leaf shape with cordate base, cuspidate leaf apex, irregular cell shapes and multicellular trichomes on the adaxial surface. Proper identification of plant species is the first step to achieving credible and rewardable results of research on plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A qualitative micromorphological assessment of the seven species of Isolona occurring in Nigeria and the Cameroons was undertaken with the aid of light microscope. The stomatal cells are particularly useful, providing stable characters which can be reliably employed in distinguishing the species. Hypostomatic leaves and paracytic stomatal type are generic constant. Possession of only paracytic stomata is characteristic of I. dewevrei whereas other species may have in addition another type such as 1+2 laterocytic stomatal type found only in I. zenkeri and presence of brachyparacytic stomata which shows relatedness of I. campanulata, I. congolana, I. hexaloba, I. pleurocarpus and I. thonneri . The epidermal surfaces appeared glabrous but an indication of hairs is shown by the presence of a glandular trichome base only in I. hexaloba. The epidermal cell characters such as epidermal cell shapes and anticlinal wall patterns seem to intergrade and they are not as definite as the stomatal cells. However, a combination of these features will be helpful in defining the species better and their leaf fragments can be differentiated based on the various characters studied for effective utilization in herbal medicinal research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparative morphological and anatomical studies of stem, leaf, and petiole of the three common Boerhavia species found in Nigeria were carried out to determine the taxonomic significance of these characters. No clear intraspecific variation was observed among the studied species on the basis of their morphological attributes and trichome types. However, the epidermal and anatomical features were diagnostic. Differences in the stomata type made the species distinct. Also, the occurrence of raphide in their leaf lamina, the number of vascular bundles in midrib and stem, and the presence, shape, and clustering of macrosclereids in the leaf epidermis varied from one species to another. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives Diaper dermatitis ( DD) is one of the most common skin conditions in infants and young children. Among the factors associated with greater frequency of DD are high skin pH and transepidermal water loss ( TEWL). This study examined the prevalence of DD in healthy black children in Nigeria and evaluated the association between skin surface pH, TEWL, and DD in this population. Methods The study was cross-sectional in design and involved children younger than 2 years attending eight immunization clinics in Ibadan, Nigeria ( N = 424). Children were recruited into the study using multistage sampling. Information collected included sociodemographic data, diapering and feeding practices. Physical examination of the diaper area was performed on each child to determine whether dermatitis was present. TEWL and skin pH were measured on the anterior chest wall and gluteal areas of each child. Results A total of 165 (38.9%) children had clinical evidence of DD. The mean skin pH and TEWL values were higher in the gluteal area than the anterior chest wall in all subjects, with or without dermatitis. The mean skin pH and TEWL were significantly higher on the anterior chest wall and in the gluteal area in children with DD. Conclusion In Nigerian children with DD, skin pH and TEWL are higher in the diaper area and at an unaffected skin site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf epidermal morphology of seven species of Lannea in the family Anacardiaceae were studied, namely: L. kerstingii, L. welwitschii, L. schimperii, L. egregia, L. acida, L. microcarpa, and L. fruticosa. The study revealed that several interesting characters, such as anticlinal cell wall pattern (ACWP), epidermal cell wall shape (ECWS), epidermal cell size (ECS), stomatal complex type (SCT), stomatal density (SD), stomatal size (SS), stomatal index (SI), and trichomes are constant and variable within and between some genera. ACWPs are straight, curved, round and undulate in the studied species. ECWS are found to be polygonal on both leaf surfaces, except in L. fruticosa. Stomata occur only on the abaxial leaf surface in all studied species; cyclocytic and anomocytic stomatal complex types are the only two types found, the anomocytic type occurring in five species: Lannea kerstingii, L. welwitschii, L. schimperii, L. egregia, and L. acida. Stomata are smaller in size in all species. Another important fact is that SD and SI vary from species to species. Out of the seven Lannea species, only three possess trichomes, namely L. kerstingii, L. schimperii and L. fruticosa. Thus the abovementioned leaf features are of great taxonomic significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigation on the leaf epidermal morphological features was carried out on five species of the genus Capsicum in the family Solanaceae collected from different regions in the Southwestern part of Nigeria in search of taxonomic and diagnostic characters that could be employed for their classification and identification. The species are C. annuum L., C frutescens L., C. chinense jacq., C. baccatum L., and C. chacoense Hunz. All the species possessed either anomocytic or anisocytic stomata type on both adaxial and abaxial surfaces except for C. chinense which showed paracytic stomata type on both surfaces. The leaves of C. baccatum, C. annuum, C. chinense and C. frutescens are amphistomatic, while that of C. chacoense are epistomatic. The similarities and overlaps observed in the cell shape, stomata index and anticlinal wall pattern of the species provide evidence for their genetic and evolutionary relationship and justification for their taxonomic grouping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foliar epidermal characters of ten species from the genus Cassia L. Emend. Gaertner, Senna Miller and Chamaecrista Moench found in South Western Nigeria were studied. The aim was to establish some useful diagnostic features that may be employed in combination with other characters as intra or inter-specific or generic tools for their delimitation. Our results revealed exciting features that are helpful in the identification of each species. These include guard cell area, stomatal index and frequency, presence or absence of trichomes, types of trichomes, as well as their length on epidermal surfaces and wall types. These results, therefore suggest diagnostic features that were found on the epidermal surface that can be employed to justify the separation of the new genera Senna and Chamaecrista from their initial genus Cassia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]