Distribution and origins of members of the Family Portulacaceae (Centrospermae)

The present day distribution of members of the family Portulacaceae shows that whilst some genera such as Portulaca L., and to some extent Montia L. and Talinum Adanson are cosmopolitan in distribution, others such as Ceraria Pearson and Stephens, Lyallia Hooker fil., Portulacaria Jacquin, Silvaea Philippi and Talinella Baillon with more than six species at the most are endemic to Africa, Australia, Eurasia and South America respectively. This pattern of distribution shows that members of the family Portulacaceae could have originated in Gondwanaland and migrated to new niches by long range dispersal after the breakup of Gondwanaland by continental drift. @JASE

Comparative Chromatographic Analysis of Ethanolic Extracts of Leaves and Stem-Bark of Piptadeniastrum africanum (Hook.f.) Brenan and Cathormion altissimum (Hook.f.) Hutch. & Dandy

This study investigated the flavonoid compounds present in the ethanolic extracts of leaves and stem-bark of Pipitadeniastrum africanum and Cathormion altissimum using Chromatographic technique with a view to assessing their degree of relatedness. The upper phase of Butanol Acetic Acid Water (BAW) solvent in the ratio of 4:1:5 was used. Results showed that the plants have several flavonoid compounds in common such as Chalcone, Flavone, Flavonol, Anthocyanin, Aurone and Isoflavonol. It was however discovered that Flavanone was present only in the leaves and stem-bark of P. africanum but was absent in C. altissimum. This discovery, which has never been previously demonstrated, may be taxonomically significant and may be justifying the placement of these plants in different genera; and by implication the monotypic status of genus Piptadeniastrum Brenan. There is need for further studies to determine the specific flavonoid compounds in these plants and especially the flavanone compounds that seem to be one of the chemical bases for the delimitation of the genera to which these plants belong

Laguncularia recemosa (L.) Gaertner f. (Family Combretaceae): gross morphology, phytochemistry, ecology and distribution in the Niger Delta

The morphology, phytochemistry, ecology and distribution of Laguncularia recemosa (L.) Gaertner f., (basionym: Conocarpus racemosa L.), in the Niger Delta area was investigated in this study. The data showed that Laguncularia racemosa is a small tree or shrub 30 cm in diameter and about 6 m in height, growing on peaty chikoko soil. The bark of this plant is smooth, greyish brown in colour whereas the inner bark is light brown. Phyllotaxy is opposite. Leaves are ever-green, leathery-textured, petiolate rounded at their bases with pairs of lateral nerves; subsidiary cells surrounding the stomata on the abaxial surfaces are anomocytic whereas those on the adaxial are cyclocytic. The leaf stalk is provided with a pair of glands at the top. Leaves and stems contain flavonoids: apigenin, kaempferol, tricin, iso-orientin and quercetin. Inflorescence is a panicle. The plant fruits all the year round; fruits are greenish yellow, leathery velvety, ribbed longitudinally, crowned by persistent calyx teeth and contains an elongated seed. The plant is well endowed with pneumatophores. @ JASE

Distribution and origins of members of the Family Portulacaceae (Centrospermae)

The present day distribution of members of the family Portulacaceae shows that whilst some genera such as Portulaca L., and to some extent Montia L. and Talinum Adanson are cosmopolitan in distribution, others such as Ceraria Pearson and Stephens, Lyallia Hooker fil., Portulacaria Jacquin, Silvaea Philippi and Talinella Baillon with more than six species at the most are endemic to Africa, Australia, Eurasia and South America respectively. This pattern of distribution shows that members of the family Portulacaceae could have originated in Gondwanaland and migrated to new niches by long range dispersal after the breakup of Gondwanaland by continental drift. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol. 8 (2) 2004: 59-6

Laguncularia recemosa (L.) Gaertner f. (Family Combretaceae): gross morphology, phytochemistry, ecology and distribution in the Niger Delta

The morphology, phytochemistry, ecology and distribution of Laguncularia recemosa (L.) Gaertner f., (basionym: Conocarpus racemosa L.), in the Niger Delta area was investigated in this study. The data showed that Laguncularia racemosa is a small tree or shrub 30 cm in diameter and about 6 m in height, growing on peaty chikoko soil. The bark of this plant is smooth, greyish brown in colour whereas the inner bark is light brown. Phyllotaxy is opposite. Leaves are ever-green, leathery-textured, petiolate rounded at their bases with pairs of lateral nerves; subsidiary cells surrounding the stomata on the abaxial surfaces are anomocytic whereas those on the adaxial are cyclocytic. The leaf stalk is provided with a pair of glands at the top. Leaves and stems contain flavonoids: apigenin, kaempferol, tricin, iso-orientin and quercetin. Inflorescence is a panicle. The plant fruits all the year round; fruits are greenish yellow, leathery velvety, ribbed longitudinally, crowned by persistent calyx teeth and contains an elongated seed. The plant is well endowed with pneumatophores. @ JASE