Micro-Anatomical Characterization of African Native Monotypic Genera - Anogeissus (DC.) Guill and Quisqualis Linn (Combretaceae)

This study was designed to explore the micro-anatomical characteristics of leaf and petiole of two unstudied West African native monotypic genera - and in Combretaceae with a view to characterizing the taxa, providing useful research-based information for identification. The samples were prepared following standard procedures. The light microscopic study of the transverse sections of the leaves in revealed a thick upper and lower cuticle while the cuticle on both leaf surfaces in remain thin. The midrib vascular bundle of the leaf in is characterized by arc-shape and starch grains were observed in the parenchyma cells of the ground tissue. The uniseriate rows of lamina epidermis were oval, squared, rectangular or polygonal in while it was rectangular or slightly oval in . Vascular bundle in the leaves and petioles of both taxa were collateral. Simple, slender and short unicellular non-glandular trichomes were also observed in the leaf and petiole micro-anatomy of both taxa. It was concluded that the micro-anatomical features of the leaves and petioles are important parameters of characterization, used in the identification of the studied taxa.