Morpho-Anatomical Studies of Coccinia barteri (Hook. F.) Keay Cucurbitaceae Roberts EMI1,*, Obute GC2,**, Okoli BE3,*** 1Ph.D Student, Plant Biosystematics and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers state, Nigeria 2Professor, Plant Biosystematics and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers state, Nigeria 3Professor, Plant Biosystematics and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers state, Nigeria *Email id: emirob2000@yahoo.com
**Email id: gordian.obute@uniport.edu.ng
***Email id: bosaeokoli@yahoo.co.uk
Abstract Detailed studies were carried out on the morphology and anatomy of Coccinia barteri (Hook. f.) Keay Cucurbitaceae in Nigeria, because the plant is medicinally useful and has not been fully described. Hand sections of vegetative parts were made and observed. Interesting and significant diagnostic features were observed and they include variations in the arrangement of vascular bundles in the midribs of the male and female collections. The morphological features of interest include the fruit size, shape and flower colour. The presence of a sclerenchymatous endodermis in the secondary structure is also diagnostic and is reported for the first time. The usefulness of these features in the taxonomic delimitation of this species is discussed. Top Keywords Anatomy Coccinia barteri, morphology, taxonomy, vascular bundles. Top |