Asian Journal of Research in Botany

Comparative Macromorphology and Micromorphology of Hypoestes rosea P. Beauv. and Asystasia gangetica T. Anderson (Acanthaceae)

Oluwafemi B. Adebayo *

Department of Botany, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

Benjamin A. Ajayi

Department of Botany University of Lagos, Nigeria.

Oluwatobi A. Oso

Department of Botany, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

Ogochukwu E. Okanume

Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, University of Jos, Nigeria.

Adeniyi A. Jayeola

Department of Botany, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

Christianah M. Adenaike

Department of Botany, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

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Abstract

Hypoestes rosea P. Beauv. and Asystasia gangetica T. Anderson are similar and thus difficult to separate morphologically. Therefore, a comparative anatomical study of the two species was undertaken in search of constant characters to establish clear-cut distinction between them. Samples of the leaf, stem and petiole of H. rosea and A. gangetica were sectioned by microtome into 30-45µ thickness, stained, mounted on microscope slides and examined by the light microscope. Presence of multicellular glandular trichome and amphistomatic leaf in H. rosea distinguishes it from A. gagentica which has hollow pith and hypostomatic leaf. H. rosea and A. gangetica which are morphologically indistinguishable can be readily separated using anatomical characters.

Keywords: Hypoestes rosea, Asystasia gangetica, trichome, anatomical, stomata

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