Greener Journal of Biological Sciences Vol. 10(1), pp. 21-26, 2020 ISSN: 2276-7762 Copyright ©2020, the copyright of this article is retained by the author(s)
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Taxonomic Studies on Telfairia occidentalis Hooker (Cucurbitaceae)
*1Wahua, Chika; 2Eke, Redeem Chinazam; 3Nichodemus, Cornelius Onyidikachi
*1Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, P.M.B.5323, NIGERIA.
*Email: chika.wahua@ uniport.edu. ng, Phone number: +2348064043448
2 Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, P.M.B. 5323, NIGERIA. Email: redeemeke8@ gmail. com
3 Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, P.M.B. 5323, NIGERIA. Email: cornel4nic@ gmail. com
ARTICLE INFO |
ABSTRACT |
Article No.: 020120021 Type: Research
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This study examined the morphological, anatomical, cytological, phytochemical characteristics of Telfairia occidentalis (Fluted pumpkin) in the family Cucurbitaceae. Observations of plant parts aided by measurements were done and these were sectioned following Wahua’s method; root tips squashed with FLP Orcein and qualitative phytochemical analysis was carried out. T. occidentalis is a dioeciously perennial plant with stem up to 10m long and 3-5 palmately arranged leaflets. The fruit is pale green with waxy deposit strongly ribbed and light yellow fibrous flesh with flattened seeds. The flower is composed of male and female inflorescence. The epidermal studies revealed glandular trichomes, oil glands and anomocytic stomata with polar contiguous stomata on the abaxial layer. The anatomical studies showed various internal structures for the stem, midrib, root, petiole and node with bicollateral vascular bundle arrangements. Diploid chromosome number of 2n=22 was observed. Phytochemical screening revealed presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, phenols and cardiac glycosides across the three extracts while steroids was absent. The information generated from this study further aid the delimitation of the species. |
Accepted: 02/02/2020 Published: 25/02/2020 |
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*Corresponding Author Wahua, Chika E-mail: chika.wahua@ uniport.edu.ng Phone: +2348064043448 |
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Keywords: Telfairia, morphology; anatomy; cytology; phytochemistry; anomocytic |
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Cite this Article: Wahua, C; Eke, RC; Nichodemus, CO (2020). Taxonomic Studies on Telfairia occidentalis Hooker (Cucurbitaceae). Greener Journal of Biological Sciences, 10(1): 21-26. |
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