TAXONOMIC VALUES OF MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF THREE Ficus spp. L. (MORACEAE) USE AS VEGETABLE AND MEDICINE IN EBONYI STATE, SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA.

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]