Abstract
Celosia argentea is an essential vegetable that is cultivated in the western part of Africa. This species has a growing reputation for its role in alleviating nutritional challenges and has found great application as herb of therapeutic importance in many regions of the world. This study investigated the foliar micromorphology and the histochemistry of Celosia argentea. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrometry and staining agents were used to evaluate the micromorphology of the plant. The result revealed sunken amphistomatic stomata distribution on both surfaces of the leaf. Anomocytic and anisocytic stomata complexes were also observed on both epidermal surfaces. A definitive protuberance was observed on the polar end of the adaxial stomata. Stomata apparatus was ellipsoidal with a mean length of 19.60 ± 0.56 µm, while the mean stomata densities on the adaxial and abaxial surfaces were 83.5 ± 2.12 mm‑2 and 194.18 ± 3.70 mm‑2 respectively. Trichomes (with a length of 100.94 ± 9.44 µm) were sparsely distributed on both surfaces; glandular trichomes were observed only on the abaxial surface. The EDX spectrometry revealed the presence of iron, oxygen, sodium, calcium, potassium and sulphur as the major elements on the leaf, while histochemical tests revealed the presence of polyphenols, starch and lipids. Our results could be used to support and validate the information database on the anatomy of Celosia argentea.
 
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 In press - Online First. Article has been peer reviewed, accepted for publication and published online without pagination. It will receive pagination when the issue will be ready for publishing as a complete number (Volume 47, Issue 4, 2019). The article is searchable and citable by Digital Object Identifier (DOI). DOI link will become active after the article will be included in the complete issue.
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Highlights
The genus Celosia belongs to the family Amaranthaceae and is represented by over 60 species
The light and scanning electron microscopy revealed an anomocytic mixed with anisocytic sunken stomata
The non-glandular trichomes were more or less flaccid in appearance (Fig. 2E, 2F) and are comparatively more abundant, while the glandular trichomes were capitate with single secretory cell
Summary
The genus Celosia belongs to the family Amaranthaceae and is represented by over 60 species Species of this genus are found in all continents of the world but majorly in Asia, North America and Africa (Schliemann et al, 2001). Other names for the flowers include wool-flower, quail grass, wheat straw, flamingo feather, flame-head and velvet flower. Most members of this genus are widely grown as vegetables while others are used as ornamentals because of their brightly colored and enthralled inflorescence (Gottshalk and Wolff, 2012).
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