Morphological Features in Some Sp. of Indigofera L. Leguminosae-Papilionoideae

摘要

Studies on the morphological (vegetative and flora)l features in I. hirsuta, I. paniculata, I. prieureana, I. pulchra, I. senegalensis, I. stenophylla, I. terminalis and I. tinctoria were conducted. This was with the main aim of ascertaining the taxonomic importance of morphological features in determining interspecific relationships among these taxa. The morphological studied of these taxa showed distinct characteristics that can be used for taxonomic decision. Taxonomically significant characters among the taxa studies include the variation in habit-herbs in I. hirsuta, I. prieureana, I. senegalensis and I. stenophylla, while shrub in I. paniculata, I. pulchra, I. terminalis and I. tinctoria. Similarly stem colour among the taxa varies from grey in I. pulchra and I. senegalensis to dark brown in I. hirsuta, I. paniculata, I. prieureana, I. stenophylla, I. terminalis and I. tinctoria while the nature of the bark reveal smooth in I. prieureana, I. stenophylla and I. terminalis, rough in I. senegalensis while it is twiggy and pubescent in I. paniculata and I. hirsuta. The interspecific affinity that characterized I. prieureana, I. paniculata and I. stenophylla showed that these species could be phylogenetically related. The biosystematic implications of this finding have been discussed in the light of the current literature.