Comparative Leaf Morphology and Anatomy of some Nigerian Rattans (Arecaceae – Calamoideae Beilschm.)

Abstract

Collections of 14 species of rattan palms were made from forest habitats along the coastal areas and major forest zones in Nigeria. The aim was to study the leaf morphological and anatomical characters of the palms with a view to facilitating their identification. Morphological characters as well as anatomical features were examined. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated significant differences (p?0.05) among morphological characters such as trichome length, internode length, cirrus length and leaf width. Trichomes were present in all the species except in Ancistrophyllum novum Burr. and Laccosperma robustum (Burr.) [J. Dransf.] Presence of uniseriate epidermis, ergastic substances, sunken stomata and peripheral arrangement of vascular supply was noted and the significance of this is discussed in relation to the family Arecaceae. The high demand of rattan products has been a serious concern with respect to the sustainability of rattan species worldwide. Conservation methods to ensure continued use of rattan palms might be to sensitize farmers, foresters and users on the overall biology of rattan palms and their cultivation techniques.