Physalis (Solanaceae) In Nigeria

Abstract

A detailed description of seven collections of Physalis Linn., in Nigeria, is presented using morphometric and some hitherto un-utilised characters such as colour of corolla tube throat, and number of ribs on fruiting calyx. Five of the collections fall distinctly in three of the species recognised in West Africa (Physalis micrantha, P. angulata and P. peruviana) while two relatively uncommon collections do not fit into any recognised species. Preliminary distributional and cytological observations in conjunction with recent pollen grain studies suggest that P. angulata is a tetraploid (2n=48) of hybrid origin probably involving P. micrantha (2n=24) and P. peruviana (2n=24). The two less common collectionsOGB(P) and UAPS are probably conspecific, representing an undescribed species of Physalis in West Africa.

Key Words: Physalis, Populational, Morphometric Characters, Taxonomic Description.