Wild and cultivated cucurbits in Nigeria

Okoli, Bosa E.

doi:10.1007/bf02859015

Cited by 44 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Male flowers are solitary or few to many in sessile or pedunculate racemiform or umbelliform clusters. The fruit is solitary or clustered, globose, ellipsoid or fusiform, red, whitish or green, smooth, sometimes finely pitted when dry (Hutchinson and Dalziel, 1954) and Dalziel, 1954;Okoli 1984;Ndukwu, 1988;Ndukwu and Okoli, 1992;Jeffrey, 1990). The variations that exist between the two species of Zehneria is of taxonomic value as observed in this study.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 57%

“…Then, there are some special plants like limon-cetriolo, lemon-cucumber which has staminate (male) flowers but also hermaphroditic (Ndukwu and Okoli, 1992). Some cultivars of watermelon have male, female and hermaphrodite flowers on the same plant (Okoli, 1984). Flowers are small, white or yellow, monoecious or dioecious, rarely hermaphroditic.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among Nigerian species of cucurbits, the uses of morphological and anatomical characters in their delimitation have been reported (Okoli 1984;Aguoru and Okoli, 2012;Ndukwu, 1988;Ndukwu and Okoli, 1992;Ajuru and Okoli, 2013). Also, taxonomic, cytogenetic and ethno-botanical investigations have been conducted on some of these indigenous cucurbits by researchers in the Universities and national research institutes (Okoli, 1984(Okoli, , 1987Ndukwu, 2000;Ndukwu et al, 2005; but reports on the anatomical features of Zehneria species is lacking.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Morpho-anatomical characters of Zehneria capillacea (Schumach) C. Jeffrey and Zehneria scabra (L.F.) Sond Cucurbitaceae

Agogbua¹,

Ekeke²,

Okoli³

2015

Afr. J. Plant Sci.

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Comparative studies on macro-morphology, foliar epidermis, stem and petiole anatomy of two indigenous wild cucurbits (Zehneria capillacea and Zehneria scabra) in Nigeria were carried out in order to improve the delimitation of the species based on these parameters. The morphological features of significance observed include variations in leaf and stem pubescence density, leaf shape, fruit shape and color, flower color, seed shape and coat texture. Similarities were observed in their growth habit, shape of foliar epidermal cells, stomatal features and stem anatomy. The two species evaluated have a creeping growth habit, uniseriate eglandular trichomes, anomocytic and tetracytic stomata, pentagonal shaped stem with 8 bicollateral vascular bundles. Glandular 4-celled head trichome and isotricytic stoma were only found in Z. capillacea. The leaves of both species are amphistomatic having adaxial and abaxial stomatal densities of 2.47±0.058 and 13.68±0.021 for Z. capillacea and 3.24±0.125 and 19.72±0.199 for Z. scabra. However, the observed petiolar vascular bundle was 5 in Z. capillacea and 7 in Z. scabra. This distinct number in the petiole provides additional distinguishing information for maintaining them as different species.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 57%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Morpho-anatomical characters of Zehneria capillacea (Schumach) C. Jeffrey and Zehneria scabra (L.F.) Sond Cucurbitaceae

Agogbua¹,

Ekeke²,

Okoli³

2015

Afr. J. Plant Sci.

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“…The stems are herbaceous, angular hollow, climbing by means of tendrils (Gill, 1988). Momordica species are plants with enormous potential as source of food and drug (Aguoru and Ogaba, 2010); they are associated with varied ethno-botanical uses and occupy special place in the lives and activities of many West African tribes (Aguoru and Okoli, 2008;Burkill, 1985;Okoli, 1984;Dalziel, 1937;Aguoru and Ogaba, 2010). Various studies on Momordica have been based more on morphological features (Aguoru and Okoli, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative stem and petiole anatomy of West African species of Momordica L (Cucurbitaceae)

Aguoru¹

2012

Afr. J. Plant Sci.

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Petiole and stem gross anatomy of seven West African species of Momordica L of the family Cucurbitaceae were studied. This was with a view to exploiting their systematic and taxonomic significance; this is because other studies on them were based on morphology. Representatives of the five species were obtained from various parts of the West African sub-region and passed through standard treatments to make permanent anatomical slides for the study. Micrographic evidences of distinguishing and affinity taxonomic features were made. Variations in petiole and stem anatomical attributes were obvious that they could be used as systematic evidence to taxonomically delineate these taxa even at species level. The evidences are used to locate the species in the tribe Cucurbitoideae. The occurrence of grit cells below the epidermis of the petiole of Momordica cabraei is remarkable and separates it from others; this is reported for the first time. Whereas in Momordica cissoides, brachysclerids are found interspersing the cells of the epidermal layer of the petiole which is also reported for the first time. Both stem and petiolar vascular bundle quantitatively separates the species. Cortical parenchyma cellular layers differentiates the species and therefore delineated them. Momordica balsamina stands apart with the possession of stemic 15 to 17 cellular layers of sclerenchymatous tissues. In M. cabraei, the grit cells are present in stem where it is scattered across the tissues whereas in Momordica multiflora, where it was lacking in petiole, packs are arranged below stemic epidermal tissues. The occurrence of starch deposit across various tissue layers of M. multiflora petiole also stands it out. Various other distinguishing features are discussed. The use of petiolar and stemic anatomical features in systematic description of Momordica species is maiden and innovative and reported for the first time.

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“…Medicinally, fruits are also used in the treatment of diabetes (unpublished data). Other uses include the treatment of cough, asthma, jaundice, kidney stone, colds and measles (Jain & Sharma, 1967;Han et al, 1984;Okoli, 1984;Al-khalil, 1995). Furthermore, the fruits have laxative and diuretic properties (Al-khalil, 1995).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antioxidant activity and HPTLC profile of Lagenaria siceraria fruits

Erasto¹,

Mbwambo²

2009

Tanzania J Hlth Res

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Abstract:The fruits of Lagenara scerara Standl. (Cucurbitaceae) are widely used for medicinal and nutritional purposes in Africa. The health promoting ability of the fruits might be related to antioxidant properties of its constituents. In this study the antioxidant effect of fresh and dried fruits of L. scerara was evaluated by comparing the 2,2-diphenyl-1,1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and reducing capacity of ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts of fresh and dried fruits. The comparison was further emphasized by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis of the extracts so as to relate activities with their chemical profiles. Results indicated that ethyl acetate (EA) extract of the fresh fruits exhibited higher DPPH radical scavenging activity than other samples. At 0.01 mg/ml the order of activity was: EA dried fruits (50.6%) < Bt (n-butanol) fresh fruits (53.3%) < Bt (n-butanol) dried fruits (64.8%) < EA fresh fruits (68.6%) < Gallic acid (81.8%). A slight change of activity was observed at 0.1 mg/ml, where the order was; EA dried fruits (70%) < Bt dried fruits (71.8%) ≤ Bt fresh fruits (72%) < EA fresh fruits (81.6%) < Gallic acid (88.5%). In the reducing capacity assay, Bt fresh fruits extract exhibited higher reducing power than all test samples. The HPTLC chemical profiles of both fresh and dried fruit extracts showed some slight differences. The slight differences in antioxidant activities were justified by the HPTLC chemical profiles of the fruits. Therefore, taking fresh or dried fruits of L. scerara may relatively give similar antioxidant effects. Since the fruits of this plant matures in bulky, then drying, milling and packing the products under hygiene environment can ensure a constant supply of antioxidant supplement. _______________________________________________________________________________________

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Wild and cultivated cucurbits in Nigeria

Cited by 44 publications

References 3 publications

Morpho-anatomical characters of Zehneria capillacea (Schumach) C. Jeffrey and Zehneria scabra (L.F.) Sond Cucurbitaceae

Morpho-anatomical characters of Zehneria capillacea (Schumach) C. Jeffrey and Zehneria scabra (L.F.) Sond Cucurbitaceae

Comparative stem and petiole anatomy of West African species of Momordica L (Cucurbitaceae)

Antioxidant activity and HPTLC profile of Lagenaria siceraria fruits

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