Preliminary Studies On The Taxonomy And Phytochemistry Of Some Cleome Species (Cleomaceae)

ABSTRACT

Three species of Cleome common in Eastern Nigeria namely (C. viscosa, C. rutidosperma and C. gynandra, were all examined and compared in this work. The aim of this study is to identify the similarities and differences among the Cleome species. Studies were carried out on the Morphological anatomical palynological and phytochemical attributes of these species. Some of these phytochemicals studied include tannins, flavonoids, saponin, alkaloids and HCN (hydrogen cyanide), e.t.c. The results obtained from these investigations revealed features of morphological, anatomical, histochemical and palynological importance of these species. These studies were carried out using a CARLZELSS JENVAL contrast microscope with model M.F. AKS 24 x 36 automatic cameras. The results from epidermal morphology revealed differences in shape of the cells, which varied from isodiametric, triangular, pentagonal, polygonally to irregular in both C. viscosa, C. gynandra and C. rutidosperma, respectively. Another distinguishing feature was the shape and size of the pollen grains in two of the species studied, which are C. viscosa and C. gynandra, monocolpate and round in shape.