Karyological and anatomical studies on Syngonium podophyllum Schott (Araceae)

Abstract

Anatomical and cytological studies were carried out on Syngonium podophyllum which belongs to the family Araceae. Anatomical studies were achieved using free-hand sectioning and the leaves were peeled with the aid of forceps. The species is amphistomatic having isotrycytic, tetracytic and anomocytic stomata. The anatomy of the stem, petiole, leaf lamina and leaf midrib revealed the presence of scattered bicollateral and leptocentric vascular bundles; calcium oxalate crystals (druses) and starch grains which are widely distributed in different parts of the plant. The druses help to protect the plant against insect and animal infestation. It has chromosome number of 2n = 24 (n = 12). The length of the chromosomes ranged from 2.43 ± 0.10 μm to 4.95 ± 0.07 μm and the karyotype has 7-metacentric chromosomes and 5-submetacentric chromosomes (with karyotype formula = 7m+5sm) which is reported for the first time in Nigerian species.