Systematic Studies in Some Ipomoea Linn . Species Using Pollen and Flower Morphology (original) (raw)

The current study was conducted in search of constant morpho-anatomical characters to aid the identification and classification of commonly encountered Ipomoea species in south west Nigeria. Flower and pollen morphology as important repository of constant characters formed the focus of the investigation. Whole flowers were dissected to expose the carpel and stamens for study. For pollen study, after soaking in de-ionized water, the anthers were collected and crushed, stained and placed on a glass slide by needle for observation under light microscope. The lengths of styles and filament all varied in the seven species, highest length in styles was recorded in Ipomoea hederifolia (37.0-38.5mm) while the minimum was recorded in Ipomoea vagans (16.5-19.0mm). United bract into a boat-shaped, doubly acuminate involucre distinguished Ipomoea involucrata from the remaining six species with free bracts. Pollen grains were found to be radially symmetrical; circular in outline, sculpture were ...