Authors : F. N. Mbagwu and H. O. Edeoga
Abstract: Leaf anatomical studies of eight Vigna species namely V. ambacensis, V. gracillis, V. racemosa, V. reticulata, V. subterranea, V. triloba, V. unguiculata and V. vexillata are reported in this study. Anatomical features of the leaves showed that these taxa possess useful taxonomic characters that can be used to establish interspecific relationships among the investigated taxa. An interesting aspect of the leaf anatomy is the presence of crystals inside the chloroplasts of V. vexillata, V. unguiculata, V. ambacensis, V. racemosa and V. subterranea which is different from the usual localization of crystals in the mesophylls of leaves. The presence of calcium oxalate crystals inside the chloroplasts of some of the Vigna species investigated is discussed in relation of their taxonomic significance.
F. N. Mbagwu and H. O. Edeoga , 2006. Leaf Anatomy of Some Nigerian Species of Vigna Savi (Leguminosae � Papilionoideae). Agricultural Journal, 1: 5-7.