Cissus species FROM NIGERIA: MORPHOLOGICAL AND ANATOMICAL CHARACTERISTICS. TAXONOMIC IMPLICATIONS

ABSRACT

Cissus speciesthat are of the same type exist in Nigeria, these are identified as Cissus populnea in most literatures of medicinal plant. Cissus populnea Guill & Perr. This is commonly known as “Okoho” by the Idomas, Igbo and Igala tribes of Nigeria. The Hausa tribe in Nigeria call it “Lututuwa”. A total of six (6) specimens were collected in Edo and Delta States. The collected species from Edo State were tagged E1, E2 and E3 as they were collected from three different locations in Edo State namely; Idogbo, Ebo and Usen. The specimen from Delta State were tagged D1, D2 and D3 as they were collected from three different locations in Delta States namely; Sapele, Ughelli and Ekpan. The phytochemistry, morphological and anatomical properties of the specimens were subjected to analysis. The colour of the powdered samples of the plant collected from across Delta and Edo State in Nigeria showed variations, their micro-morphological, morphological and anatomical characteristics exposed sufficient variations that are enough to separate them into their various taxon. Though their photochemistry was almost similar with few variations but the carpological characteristics of collection from Delta State which were tagged D1, D2 and D3 confirmed that they are all Cissus populnea Guill. & Perr. The carpological characteristics of collection from Edo State which were tagged E1, E2 and E3 show that they are all Cissus rubginosa (Welw. Ex Baker) Planch.