Taxonomic significance of epidermal morphology in Nigerian Rhizophoraceae
No Thumbnail Available
Date
1993
Authors
Olowokudejo, J. D.
Obi-Osang, T. E.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Amsterdam : North-Holland Pub. Co.,
Abstract
Epidermal morphology of adaxial and abaxial leafsurfaces of five
genera of the family Rhizophoraceae in Nigeria were studied by light
microscopy. The epidermises are composed of variously shaped cells
which, in surface view, range in outline from triangular, rectangular
to more commonly hexagonal, polygonal and irregular. Cuticular
striations are absent except in Poga oleosa in which conspicuous striae
encircle the guard cells and run parallel to the axis of non-specialized
epidermal cells. Anticlinal walls are either straight, curved or undulate.
Leaves of all genera are hypostomatic. Paracytic stromata occur in
Cassipourea and Anisophyllea while all species of Rhizophora possess
cyclocytic stomata. The stomata of Anopyxis are of the anisocytic type
and those of Poga anomocytic. The morphology of the guard cells and
stomatal ledges varies significantly within the family. Evidence is
produced to support the suspected hybrid nature of Rhizophora
harrisonii. Other features of the epidermis that show variationinclude
stomatal size, shape and density, size and density of epidermal cells,
and cell wall thickness. Epidermal characters are of some utility in
elucidating relationships and identifying some taxa within the family.
Description
Keywords
Rhizophoraceae , epidermal morphology , taxonomy , Nigeria
Citation
Olowokudejo, J. D. and Obi-Osang, T. E. (1993). Taxonomic significance of epidermal morphology in Nigerian Rhizophoraceae. Acta botanica Neerlandica 42: 51-61