Morphological and anatomical investigations into the mechanism of leaf pair unrolling in <i>Uraria picta</i> (jacq.) desv. ex dc. (papilionaceae), a medicinal plant in Nigeria

Abstract

Uraria picta leaf-pair unrolling inside out is a remarkable feat. A leaf-pair was investigated to understand the mechanism of spontaneous reverse inside out act of the plant. The upper (adaxial) and lower (abaxial) surfaces of the leaf-pair were examined using scanning and light microscopy. The scan showed diversity of hairs varying in shape from straight, pointed, curve, and club to hook. There were deposits of wax on both sides of the leaf-pair. The light microscope showed hairs are restricted to the midrib on the adaxial surface of the leaflets. Hooked hairs dominated the entire abaxial surface of the leaflets. The transverse section of the midrib section showed abundance of structural and mechanical tissues, collenchyma and sclerenchyma tissues. Both morphological and anatomical attributes were used to explain the mechanism and how the plant got its Yoruba vernacular name 'Alupayida' as well as its purported use in changing the sex of the unborn child and in breaking up love affairs.

Uraria picta: A comprehensive review on evidences of utilization and strategies of conservation

“…In Nigeria, U. picta is locally known as ' Alupayida' (Yoruba) meaning 'the power of changing object'; 'kaskaifi', 'dakushe', 'wutsiyarbera', 'wutsiyarkusu' (Hausa) meaning 'weapon sharp edge-destroyer'; and "Obuŏ;do dumbwada' (Igbo) meaning 'tail bearer that seeks help to dig the ground'. Chinese traditionalists called U. picta Mei Hua Li Wei Dou (Oyesiku et al, 2013). In spite of the large number of medicinal uses, the genus Uraria is neglected and got a very little attention from researchers in view of taxonomical, pharmacological and phytochemical studies.…”

Development of unigene-derived SSR markers from RNA-seq data of Uraria lagopodioides (Fabaceae) and their application in the genus Uraria Desv. (Fabaceae)

“…Several species of Uraria (e.g., U. lagopodioides, U. crinita and U. picta) are used for medicinal purposes. The flavonoids, triterpenes, megastigmanes, nucleoside compounds, and 3-hydroxy-7' ,4'-dimethoxyflavone they produce display a wide range of medicinal properties used in the treatment of asthma, dysentery, ulcers, and malaria-induced fever [4][5][6][7].…”