Corms As Additional Features to identify Gladiolus species Used in Ethnomedicine

Abstract

Background: Plants remain vital as sources of traditional medicine towards management of various health challenges. Various parts such as leaves, stem bark, roots, flowers, and corms of different plants are utilized to manage a lot of human ailments. Proper identification of these plants together with their parts remain imperative for effective utilization. Gladiolus (Iridaceae) is a genus that consists of underground corms and has strikingly showy flowers. The corms are mostly rounded and symmetrically enveloped with fibrous tunics. Species in this genus are utilized widely to treat a number of diseases and health conditions. Presently the main and sure way to identify these plants is by use of their showy flowers; however, in Kenya, this becomes a challenge during dry seasons when the plants are not in flower. Objective: This study investigated the use of features of corms as possible additional features for identification of Gladiolus species found in Kenya; Gladiolus watsonoides, G. goetzenii, G. ukambanensis and G.newii. Method: Physical and histological features of corms were evaluated according to Rolls, 2011, to investigate for possible differences across the different species. Results: Although the analysis of the cells of corms and leaves compared did not reveal any obvious differences, the outward morphologies of corms were different across different species in terms of colour, shape, and textures of the tunics. Conclusion: Therefore, corms form an additional feature of taxonomic value for identification and collection of these plants in the absence of flowers.