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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]

Poaceae pollen grains are known to be highly allergenic and they are potential causes of allergic respiratory diseases. In order to investigate the incidence of airborne Poaceae, and contribute to current trends in the development of aeropalynology/allergy studies in Nigeria, five highly populated locations in Central Lagos State, Surulere, Ebute-Metta, University of Lagos, Bariga and Gbagada, were sampled. Gravimetric aerosamples were collected monthly from January 2013 to December 2014. The lowest count in 2013 was recorded in the Ebute-Metta area (179), while the highest in 2013 was recorded in Gbagada (564). In 2014, the Surulere area (282) had the lowest count while Bariga (671) had the highest. The locations have similar monthly pollen distribution pattern but different peak months. Generally, Poaceae pollen counts were lowest in the months of June and July. These are therefore the safest months for Poaceae pollen hypersensitive individuals in the study areas. Relative humidity was the most important meteorological parameter with significant correlations in Ebute-Metta and Bariga locations. Results from this work will form the basis for a forecast service required to inform and educate the general public and allergy sufferers about Poaceae pollen distribution in Lagos State. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf epidermal morphology of eight species of Ipomoea found in Southern Nigeria has been studied using light microscope. Epidermal characters such as stomata type, epidermal cell type, anticlinal wall patterns, trichomes, presence of glands, stomata number and size, epidermal cell number and size, cell wall thickness, gland number and gland length vary within and amongst the species. The cells of adaxial and abaxial epidermises are polygonal or irregular with straight, sinuous or curved anticlinal wall pattern. Stomata are present on both adaxial and abaxial surfaces. Stomata complex is paracytic except in I. asarifolia and I. purpurea where its staurocytic; stomata index is higher on the abaxial side while trichome is absent on the abaxial surface of I. cairica and I. purpurea, likewise on the adaxial surface of I. involucrata. Glands are observed in all the species. Interspecific variation was further revealed in the quantitative micromorphology characters of Ipomoea species studied which was statistically supported at p<0.001 significance level. The taxonomic significance of these features in identification and elucidation of species affinity is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphology of leaf epidermis and petiole transverse section in three species of Anthocleista was studied using a light microscope with a view to understanding the systematic significance of epidermal morphology and petiole anatomy within the genus. Interestingly, important taxonomic characters such as epistomata were observed in A. vogelii and amphistomata in A. djalonensis and A. nobilis. Scale trichomes were found in both epidermal layers of A. djalonensis and glandular trichome, which is multicellular and unicellular in A. nobilis and A. djalonensis respectively. Stomatal Index was highest at adaxial side of A. nobilis (10.14%), lowest at A. djalonensis (4.56%) and did not exist at all at the abaxial surface of A. vogelii. Common generic characteristics are polygonal cell shape, straight anticlinal wall, dendritic trichomes and petiole anatomy. The petiole is longest in A. nobilis, shortest in A. djalonensis and absent in A. vogelii. This work therefore, revealed that species within the genus differ in epidermal characteristics which could be used to delimit them although they share some similarities in cell geometry, petiole transverse section and anticlinal walls; all these are important taxonomic tools used in delimiting species in the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparative foliar epidermal characteristics of 15 species of Acalypha L. in West Africa are analysed using both light and scanning electron microscopy. Presence of hypostomatic leaves supports the series accepted by Bentham and Hooker (ser. Pantogynae-Acrogynae and ser. Pantogynae- Pleurogynae) except A. wilkesiana. In taxa of other series amphistomatic leaves were recorded. Among other taxonomically useful features of the genus are polygonal and irregular epidermal cell shapes, curved and undulate anticlinal walls, presence of regular to irregular striae and deposition of waxy flakes on the leaf surfaces. A. ceraceopunctata and A. segetalis can be distinguished from other species by the presence of peltate scale and only paracytic stomata respectively. An artificial bracketed dichotomous key is presented to delimit species of the genus Acalypha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]