Abstract
Comparative studies on the morphology and anatomy of the three species of Cucurbita L. (C. moschata, C. maxima and C. pepo) in Nigeria were carried out. The morphological features of significance include variations in the number of tendrils, fruit size, shape, nature of fruit stalk, leaf shape and flower colour. Seed-coat anatomy revealed four distinct zones, which varied in thickness and tissue layers. Similarities were observed in the distribution, differentiation and number of layers of cells and tissues in the leaf, petiole and stem sections. There were, however, variations in number of bicollateral vascular bundles in their petiole. While the number is 10 in C. moschata, 14 in C. pepo, it is 16 in C. maxima. Parietal placentation and 15 anther-lobes are reported for these species for the first time. The usefulness of these parameters in the taxonomic delimitation of these species is discussed. Key words: Cucurbita, morpho-anatomy, placentation, seed-coat, taxonomy, vascular bundles.
Highlights
Brief morphological description of the genus Cucurbita L. and its component species have been attempted by Hutchinson and Dalziel (1954) and Purseglove (1968)
Cucurbita are rarely found growing in the wild in Nigeria
The other two species C. pepo and C. maxima are cultivated in the northern parts of Nigeria
Summary
Brief morphological description of the genus Cucurbita L. and its component species have been attempted by Hutchinson and Dalziel (1954) and Purseglove (1968). The genus is represented in Nigeria by three species, which are mostly cultivated These are Cucurbita moschata (Duch.ex Lam) Duch.ex Poir., Cucurbita maxima Duch.ex Lam. and Cucurbita pepo L. The other two species C. pepo and C. maxima are cultivated in the northern parts of Nigeria These species constitute an important part of the diet of the area. The few anatomical studies carried out on the species concentrated on seed-coat anatomy (Vaughan, 1970; Ndukwu and Okoli, 1992). These reports were not comparative and did not examine aspects of stem, leaf and petiole anatomy of the species
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