Morphological, Anatomical and Cytological Studies onLagenaria breviflora(Benth.) Roberty (Cucurbitaceae)

Abstract

Lagenaria breviflora (Benth.) Roberty, a cucurbit, was investigated in respect of its morphology, anatomy and cytology. Morphological studies involved visual observations of the species in the wild. Specimens for anatomical studies were collected from Omuokiri, Aluu in Ikwerre L.G.A. and neighbouring villages in Rivers State, Nigeria. Free-hand sectioning of the foliar and cauline parts as well as epidermal studies were conducted. Fresh roots for mitotic studies were obtained from staminate and pistillate plants in the wild, pre-treated, fixed, hydrolysed and squashed in FLP–orcein. The morphology revealed exhibition of dioecism in the species. Anatomical studies showed 10 and seven bicollateral vascular bundles in the stem and petiole, respectively. Contiguous and giant stomata in the genus are here reported for the first time. Glandular and non-glandular trichomes were also observed on the epidermal peels. Chromosome counts of 2n = 21 and 2n = 22 are here reported in the species for the first time. Prior to this investigation, information on L. breviflora had been meagre and unco-ordinated. This study supplements the available taxonomic information upon which further research and exploitation of the species could be based.