Anatomical Studies of Sida Acuta Burm, Spigelia Anthelmia Linn
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International Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biosciences Volume 6, Issue 2, 2019, PP 21-32 ISSN 2394-5885 (Print) & ISSN 2394-5893 (Online) Anatomical Studies of Sida Acuta Burm, Spigelia Anthelmia Linn, Centrosema Pubescens Benth, Pueraria Phaseoloides (ROXB) Benth, Justicia Carnea Lindl and their Taxonomic Significance Nduche, M.U.*, Offor I. C Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike PMB 7267, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria *Corresponding Author: Nduche, M.U., Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike PMB 7267, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria, Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT This study was carried out to investigate the anatomical features and taxonomical significant of the stems, roots and leaf epidermis of Sida acuta, Spigelia anthelmia, Centrosema pubescens, Pueraria phaseoloides and Justicia carnea. The leaves of these plants were studied using the impression techniques method to obtain epidermal peel. The stems and roots of the plants were socked in the solution of FAA and free hand section obtained for anatomical studies using a digital microscope with photomicrographs taken. The epidermal peel obtained shows that the stomatadistributions in the leaves were more in the adaxial surface more than the abaxial surface in the studied plants. Theshapes of epidermis were straight in Sida acuta, rectangular in Spigelia anthelmia, cylindrical in Justiciacarnea, and oval in both Centrosema pubescensand Pueraria phaseoliodes. The numbers of the subsidiary cell in the studied plants were anomocytic. This study was analyzed based on the present or absence of stomata in both the upper and lower epidermis. The anatomical study of the stems shows that the epidermis of the stem of Sida acuta andJusticia carnea were rounded, Spigelia anthelmia and Centrosema pubescens were rectangular, and Pueraria phaseoliodes were cylindrical. The cortical cells and xylem cells of the test plants were all thick, with different layers. They all have thick cortical and thick xylem with numerous layers in the cortex. The present of collenchymas and parenchyma cells were observed in the plant. The result of the plants studied when combined with the gross morphology of the plants will help in the proper identification of the plants. Keywords: Anatomy, Taxonomy, Stems, Roots and Leaf epidermis INTRODUCTION Anatomical data are often extremely useful in Plant anatomy is the general term used for the solving problems of relationships because they study of internal structure of plants. While can often suggest with greater confidence the originally, it included plant morphology, which homologies of morphological character states, is the description of the physical form and and they can help in the interpretation of external structure of plants. Plant anatomy is evolutionary directionality. (Barbosaet al., now frequently investigated at the cellular level, 2004). and often involves the sectioning of tissues and The five plants studied are; Sida acuta, Spigelia micro morphology. Anatomical studies as a anthelmia, Pueraria phaseoloides, Centrosema systematic feature in the characterization of pubescens, and Justisia carnea. One of the five plant is no longer strange in taxonomic study. plants which is Spigelia anthelmia is a genus of The scientific importance and specific flowering plants in the family Loganiaceae. It implication of anatomical features have been contains around 60 species, distributed over the studied by different authors in different group of warmer parts of the Americas, from the latitude plants. Plant anatomy is the general term used of Buenos Aires to the Southern United States. for the study of internal structure of plants. International Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biosciences V6 ● I2 ● 2019 21 Anatomical Studies of Sida Acuta Burm, Spigelia Anthelmia Linn, Centrosema Pubescens Benth, Pueraria Phaseoloides (ROXB) Benth, Justicia Carnea Lindl and their Taxonomic Significance Spigelia anthelmia is an annual herb up to 50 - or cut for hay or silage making (Cook et al., 90 cm tall, few branched at base, stem erect, 2005). hollow, glabrous. It is native to the West Indies Another genus studied is Justicia carnea a and Northern America and now naturalized in flowering plant that belongs to Acanthaceae West Africa and in Zaira and Ethiopia. The family. The genus Justicia was named after a plant has only relatively recently reached West Scottish gardener James Justice, in the 18th Africa (Achenbach et al., 1995). Malvaeceae or the mallows, is a family of flavouring plants century. It is commonly called Brazilian plume estimated to contain in 244 genera with 4225 flower. This flowering plant is native to Atlantic known species, well known member of the forest eco region of eastern Brazil. It is also Malvaceae is Sida acuta which has 200 species. found in Nigeria (Igwe et al., 2016). Sida acuta is a smaller, erect, perennial shrub, JUSTIFICATION branching profusely from the base. It usually Though the information on the anatomy of ranges from 30-150cm in height, but grows to different groups of plants are available, there is 3m in favourable conditions in Northern death of information on the anatomy of Sida Australia (Lonsdale et al., 1995). The stems are acuta, Spigelia anthelmia,Centrosema fibrous to almost woody with a tough stirringly pubescens, Pueraria phaseoloides, Justicia bark. There is a deep, tough tap root. The leaves carnea. This work is to contribute to the are alternate, lanceolate, acute, tampering information on the anatomy and taxonomy of towards both ends. The seeds are small, redish- these five species of plants studied brown to black wedge-shaped and about 1.5mm OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY long. Sidaacuta has medicinal properties in parts of Asia and Africa it is used in treating The objective of this research is infections, fever, malaria, asthma, headache To describe the anatomical character of five diarrhea etc. It is also valuable plant for treating plant genus such as: Sida acuta, Spigelia nervous and urinary and blood diseases, pile and anthelmia, Centrosema pubescens, Peuraria liver disorders (Waterhouse and Norris, 1987). phaseoloide, Justicia carnea. Another genus is the one belonging to the To determine the differences in the family of Fabaceae which contains Centrosema anatomical features that could be utilized in pubescens and Pueraria phaseoloides. The the taxonomic and biosystematic family has a total of about 26 species belong to consideration of the five species studied. 14 genera in the family. It is a vigorous; drought resistant, a productive legume which produces a In order to undertake a compressive study of all good quantity of seed that can be easily aspect of the research and achieve other stated harvested. Both dry matter and protein yield objectives, the review of related literature would from pastures have been increased substantially focus on the following genus as stated below: when Centrosema pubescens is included in Spigelia anthelmia, Sidaacuta, Centrosema pasture mixture (Uzuomfor, 2005). The second pubescens, Pueraria phaseoloides and Justicia genus under Fabaceae is Pueraria phaseoloides, carnea it is a plant species within the pea family. It is a Spigelia Anthelmia (Loganiaceae) promising forage crop and cover crop used in Originates from tropical and sub-tropical the tropics. America, but is widely naturalized in tropical Pueraria phaseoloides is a vigorous twining and Africa and Indonesia. It comprises about 60 climbing perennial legume. It is deeply rooted species (Nurwinger, 2000). Spigelia anthelmia (down to 2 m depth) and its hairy slender stem can be recognized by their opposite or whorled may be 6-10m long in diameter (FAO, 2015). It leaves, in false whorled towards the coloured is mainly used as a green manure and as a tips, one-sided inflorescences, often brightly pasture for livestock, it is one of the most used colored pentannerous flowered with usually cover crops in the plantation of rubber. It is funnel-shaped corollas, articulated steles, often used in sisal plantations in Africa. The gynaeciumeu-syncatpous, strongly bilobed roots are reported to be edible and its fibrous capsule compressed contrary to septum, roots are used to make ropes (Halim, 1997). It is circumcise. It has ornamental values, having highly palatable to livestock and can be grazed showy flowers with scarlet red tubes and lobes 22 International Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biosciences V6 ● I2 ● 2019 Anatomical Studies of Sida Acuta Burm, Spigelia Anthelmia Linn, Centrosema Pubescens Benth, Pueraria Phaseoloides (ROXB) Benth, Justicia Carnea Lindl and their Taxonomic Significance yellow inside. The highest concentrations of The plant is found on most soil types. It has a alkaloids are present in the roots and in the fruit deep taproot and can withstand drought moving wall (Achenbach et al., 1995). and shallow tillage. It is weed of degraded pastures, tree plantations, cereals, road sides and Portion of the plants is used internally as waste places (Flanagan et al., 2000). Sida acuta treatment against thrush and hypertension it is can also be described as a small, erect, perennial also used to treat sore throat. The sap from the shrub from 30-150 cm in height but grows to 3m leaves is rubbed into scarification to treat chest in favourable conditions (Lonsdale et al., 1995). complaints and eye infections In Germany, The leaves are quite variable in size from 2-9cm homeopathic pharmacopoeia, and extract of the long and 0.5-4cm wide. The flowers yellow, aerial parts is officially used as a remedy for solitary 1-2cm in diameter and on a short stalk neuralgic and cardiac disorders (Van et al., 0.3-0.8 long. The fruit is hard, brown capsule, 3- 2003). 5mm in diameter breaking, into 5-8 triangular Morphology of Spigelia Anthelmia segments. The seeds are small, reddish brown to black, wedge shaped, deeply indented in both side, rounded on the back and about 1.5mm long. Seeds of Sida acutaare easily spread by a variety of means such as machinery, equipment, man animal, seed or hay contamination and water (Pettit et al., 2001, Smith 2002).