Important Morphological Characters in Several Species of Cassiinae (Leguminosae) in South-Western Nigeria

Macromorphological characters of some species of Cassia L. emend. Gaertner, Senna Miller and Chamaecrista Moench occurring in South Western Nigeria were studied. The aim was to search for stable, distinctive and diagnostic characters for the identification of these genera and their species. Qualitat...

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Main Authors: Sefiu Adekilekun SAHEED, Herbert Chukwuma ILLOH
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Society of Land Measurements and Cadastre from Transylvania (SMTCT) 2011-05-01
Series:Notulae Scientia Biologicae
Online Access:http://notulaebiologicae.ro/index.php/nsb/article/view/5883
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author Sefiu Adekilekun SAHEED
Herbert Chukwuma ILLOH
author_facet Sefiu Adekilekun SAHEED
Herbert Chukwuma ILLOH
author_sort Sefiu Adekilekun SAHEED
collection DOAJ
description Macromorphological characters of some species of Cassia L. emend. Gaertner, Senna Miller and Chamaecrista Moench occurring in South Western Nigeria were studied. The aim was to search for stable, distinctive and diagnostic characters for the identification of these genera and their species. Qualitative characters were noted and recorded while quantitative observations were done by the use of a metric ruler and the measurements were taken to the nearest centimeters. The habit ranges from all shrubs in Senna, shrubs and herbs in Chamaecrista while the Cassia species studied are all trees. The shape of the leaflet apex varies in both Senna and Cassia species, while it is distinctly mucronate in Chamaecrista genus. Occurrence of foliaceous stipule in the genus Chamaecrista clearly separates it from Senna and Cassia, which are completely exstipulate. In general, other characters such as number of leaflet pairs, length and width of leaflets, leaflet base, and number of leaflets lateral nerves revealed generic distinctions. Others include the degree of hairiness in sepals, petals shape, types of inflorescence, fruit shape and fruit length. The attributes that delimits the species are mainly quantitative. The results of this investigation suggest macromorphological characters that clearly enhance the taxonomy of these genera and their species and they can be subsequently employed in their delimitation.
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spelling doaj.art-6ee3fd94b03f40f991b44833399bc9872022-12-22T01:31:08ZengSociety of Land Measurements and Cadastre from Transylvania (SMTCT)Notulae Scientia Biologicae2067-32052067-32642011-05-013247565908Important Morphological Characters in Several Species of Cassiinae (Leguminosae) in South-Western NigeriaSefiu Adekilekun SAHEED0Herbert Chukwuma ILLOH1Obafemi Awolowo University, Faculty of Science, Department of Botany, Ile-Ife 220005Obafemi Awolowo University, Faculty of Science, Department of Botany, Ile-Ife 220005Macromorphological characters of some species of Cassia L. emend. Gaertner, Senna Miller and Chamaecrista Moench occurring in South Western Nigeria were studied. The aim was to search for stable, distinctive and diagnostic characters for the identification of these genera and their species. Qualitative characters were noted and recorded while quantitative observations were done by the use of a metric ruler and the measurements were taken to the nearest centimeters. The habit ranges from all shrubs in Senna, shrubs and herbs in Chamaecrista while the Cassia species studied are all trees. The shape of the leaflet apex varies in both Senna and Cassia species, while it is distinctly mucronate in Chamaecrista genus. Occurrence of foliaceous stipule in the genus Chamaecrista clearly separates it from Senna and Cassia, which are completely exstipulate. In general, other characters such as number of leaflet pairs, length and width of leaflets, leaflet base, and number of leaflets lateral nerves revealed generic distinctions. Others include the degree of hairiness in sepals, petals shape, types of inflorescence, fruit shape and fruit length. The attributes that delimits the species are mainly quantitative. The results of this investigation suggest macromorphological characters that clearly enhance the taxonomy of these genera and their species and they can be subsequently employed in their delimitation.http://notulaebiologicae.ro/index.php/nsb/article/view/5883
spellingShingle Sefiu Adekilekun SAHEED
Herbert Chukwuma ILLOH
Important Morphological Characters in Several Species of Cassiinae (Leguminosae) in South-Western Nigeria
Notulae Scientia Biologicae
title Important Morphological Characters in Several Species of Cassiinae (Leguminosae) in South-Western Nigeria
title_full Important Morphological Characters in Several Species of Cassiinae (Leguminosae) in South-Western Nigeria
title_fullStr Important Morphological Characters in Several Species of Cassiinae (Leguminosae) in South-Western Nigeria
title_full_unstemmed Important Morphological Characters in Several Species of Cassiinae (Leguminosae) in South-Western Nigeria
title_short Important Morphological Characters in Several Species of Cassiinae (Leguminosae) in South-Western Nigeria
title_sort important morphological characters in several species of cassiinae leguminosae in south western nigeria
url http://notulaebiologicae.ro/index.php/nsb/article/view/5883
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