Comparative morphological and anatomical studies of Boerhavia (Nyctaginaceae) species in Nigeria

Comparative morphological and anatomical studies of stem, leaf, and petiole of the three common Boerhavia species found in Nigeria were carried out to determine the taxonomic significance of these characters. No clear intraspecific variation was observed among the studied species on the basis of their morphological attributes and trichome types. However, the epidermal and anatomical features were diagnostic. Differences in the stomata type made the species distinct. Also, the occurrence of raphide in their leaf lamina, the number of vascular bundles in midrib and stem, and the presence, shape, and clustering of macrosclereids in the leaf epidermis varied from one species to another