Secondary Wall Pattern of Some Vessel Members of the Moraceae Family

ABSTRACT The woods of Milicia exelsa, Antiaris toxicaria and Treculia africana, measuring 10 cm long and 7 cm diameter were collected from five different locations within Nsukka metropolis and identified by Dr. Ajuziogu, G. C. an anatomist in the Department of Plant science and Biotechnologist, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The woods were cut into tiny bits and then macerated in other to dismantle the cell structure by dissolving the lignin without destroying the cell. The residual acid was decanted from the test tubes into a reserve receptacle after which distilled water was added to the test tubes, the test tubes were then covered with caps or stoppers and shaken vigorously to allow the tissue dissolve and also stop further reactions. The test tubes were left in a standing position for 72 hours and the supernatant was decanted thereafter. The macerated tissues were stored in micro specimen bottles to which glycerine was added to remove air bubbles while formalin was also added to prevent fungal growth or decay of the tissue. Staining of the macerated tissues was done using 1% Safranin solution. After which, the macerated specimen was viewed under a calibrated microscope. Measurement of the vessel structure, length and diameter was recorded. At the end of the study we observed that the three species recoreded posses the same secondary cell wall deposition pattern which is pitied or reticulate pattern. The pattern observed depicts that the plants are ontogenetically mature. Also, the vessels observed in the studied species of the Moraceae family are short and truncated which implies advancement in evolutionary trend.