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TAXONOMIC DELIMITATION OF SPECIES OF Senna AND Cassia IN AHMADU

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 TAXONOMIC DELIMITATION OF SPECIES OF Senna AND Cassia Supported by
IN AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
B. Y. Abubakar1, A. K. Adamu1, A. A. Ambi2 and F. G. Nuru1
1Department of Botany, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
2Department of Pharmacognosy & Drug Development, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

*Corresponding author: fgarbanuru@[Link]

Received: May 12, 2018 Accepted: July 14, 2018

Abstract: The foliar epidermal characters of species of Senna and Cassia were studied in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in
search for useful taxonomic characters; these include Senna alata (L.) Roxb., S. hirsuta (L.) Irwin and Barneby, S.
obtusifolia (L), S. occidentalis (L.), S. siamea (Lam.), S. singueana (L), S. siberiana (L) and Cassia absus. All
species were shruby except for senna siamea and S. alata which are either shruby or trees. The stomata found were
paracytic and anisocytic in most of the studied species except for S. hirsutae and S. siberiana which were paracytic
all through. There was variability in the length which was highest in S. hirsutae (2.22 µm) and lowest in S. siamea
(1.32 µm) of their stomata and the frequency, highest in S. hirsutae (42.75 µm) and lowest in S. obtusfolia (18.55
µm) reflects their taxonomic delimitation. These stomata were found both on the abaxial and adaxial surfaces of
the studied plants (amphistomata). A dichotomous taxonomic key was constructed to aid the identification of the
studied Senna and Cassia species.
Keywords: Folia mophology, delimitation, leaf, Stomata, Cassia, Ceasalpinoideae

Introduction Species delimitation is an integrative field that depends on

Ceasalpinoideae is a large sub-family of about 150 genera increasingly diverse data types, yet it remains rife with
with 2000-3000 species of flowering plants in the order arguments and opposing approaches. The use of leaf micro
fabales (Eddy, 1997). The genus senna is native throughout morphological and epidermal features has been found to be of
the tropics with a few species extending in to the temperate immense interest in taxonomy and have been used by many
regions. Many of them have economic importance for authors in plant identification (Nwachukwu et al., 2007).
ornamental and natural medicine purposes, wood production, Taxonomy of Senna and Cassia species is also important
degraded area restoration (Kissmann et al., 1992) and also because of the medicinal values of the genus which when
vegetable source. Senna comprises around 350 species and taken in excess may be poisonous to the body hence proper
was divided into six sections: Psilorhegma, Chamaefistula, identification of the species using epidermal structures, It is in
Senna, Peiranisia, Paradyction and Astroites (Irwin & view of this, that this study is designed to delimit these plant
Barneby, 1982; Randell and Barlow, 1998). In West Africa, species and provide more taxonomic evidence in order to
the genus contains about 22 indigenous species apart from reduce the misuse of the species.
those introduced (Hutchinson and Daziel, 1958). Then,
Burkill (1995) reported about 19 species in West African Materials and Method
floristic region with the whole 19 species in Nigeria (Soladoye Study site
and Lewis, 2003) and at least 8 species in South Western This research was carried out at the Botany Department,
Nigeria especially in Oyo and Ogun States. There is great Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria (Altitude 610 m
diversity in habits ranging from trees approaching 34 m in above sea level, latitude 11˚ 12’N and longitude 07˚33’E),
height to prostrate annual herbs. Some members are Nigeria. Samaru lies in the Northern Guinea Savanna agro
ornamental e.g. Senna siamea (Olorode, 1984). Other ecological zone of Nigeria with a mean annual rainfall of
members are used as commercial timbers and a great number about 1100 m. Rainfall is essentially between May - October
of them have been reported to be used in herbal medicines and dry season between October - April. Hottest month is
especially laxatives (Ayensu, 1978). The type species for the around March - April, and the mean daily Temperature is
genus is Senna alexandrina. The leaves are pinnate with about 270C. The coldest Month is between November – Mid
opposite paired leaflets. The inflorescences are racemes February (Osuhor et al., 2004).
located at the ends of branches or emerging from the leaf axils Plant collection
(Olorode, 1988). The flower is one of the constant characters Seven species of Senna were studied which include Senna
found in this genus despite its great diversity of forms. The alata (L.) Roxb., S. hirsutae(L.) Irwin and Barneby, S.
flower has five sepals and five yellow petals. There are ten obtusifolia (L.) Irwin and Barneby, S. occidentalis (L.) Link,S.
straight stamens which can be of different sizes, and some are siamea (Lam.) Irwin and Barneby, [Link] (L),S.
staminodes. The fruit is a legume pod containing several seeds siberiana (L) and C. [Link] specimens were collected
of varying length, size and may assume different shapes from different locations within the University [Link]
(Olorode, 1988). Senna species are pollinated by a variety of names of the species and coordinates are provided in Table 1.
bees, especially large female bees in genera such as Xylocopa
(Marazzi et al., 2000).

Table 1: Location of Senna and Cassia species in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
S/No Name of Taxa Longitude Latitude Voucher Number Site of collection
1 Senna alata E007˚ 38.23 N11˚ 09.39 1236 Botanical Garden, ABU, Zaria.
2 Senna siberiana E007˚ 39.40 N 11˚ 08.62 900218 Botanical Garden, ABU, Zaria.
3 Senna obtusfolia E007˚ 38,79 N11˚ 09. 07 1370 ABU Press, Zaria.
4 Senna hirsutae E007˚ 38.78 N11˚ 09. 22 7174 ABU Water Board, Zaria.
5 Senna siamea E007˚ 36. 84 N11˚ 09. 39 900202 Botanical Garden, ABU, Zaria.
6 Senna singueana E007˚ 39. 40 N11˚ 08.63 900109 Botanical Garden, ABU, Zaria.
7 Senna occidentalis E007˚38. 84 N11˚ 09.06 1047 ABU Waterboard, ABU, Zaria.
8 Cassia absus E007˚ 38.85 N11˚ 09.07 3106 ABU Press, ABU, Zaria.

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 Taxonomic Delimitation of Senna and Cassia Species

Foliar morphology Photomicrograph was taken using a Samsung HD camera

Fifty (50) samples of matured leaf per species were used for model A4CDNOC7000RDZ attached to a light microscope.
assessment of morphological character. Characters such as
leaf texture, leaf shape, leaf base, leaf apex and leaf margin Results and Discussion
were observed and qualitative photographs were taken using a The studied species all were amphistomatic, meaning stomata
Samsung HD camera model. occurs on both surfaces. The stomata varied among the
Stomatal study species with paracytic occurring in all except Sennasiamea
The method of Pant and Verma (1974) was adopted. Fresh and Cassia absus where only anisocytic stomata was
foliar materials were collected from mature plants in the study observed. Both paracytic and anisocytic stomata were
area. The leaves were fixed in formalin acetic alcohol (FAA) observed in the abaxial surface of Senna alata,
for 24 h and washed in 70% ethanol. For mature stomatal Sennaoccidentalis and Senna obtusfolia. The epidermal cell
types study, epidermal peels were obtained using a pair of shape found in the species was polygonal except in Senna
sharp forceps on both surfaces of mature leaves after alata and Sennahirsutea where irregular pattern was observed
loosening the epidermis with a razor blade. The peels were (Table 2). Anticlinal wall found was wavy to straight in the
placed on a microscope slide and stained with methylene blue studied species except Senna siamea that was found to be
and covered with a clean cover slip and observed under the curved. The seed properties were also considered where the
microscope. Characters of upper epidermal cell number, lower seed color varied, seed texture was smooth except in Senna
epidermal cell number, upper epidermal cell pattern, lower alata and Senna singueana that were rough textured. The leaf
epidermal cell pattern, stomata type, stomata number on both morphological variations of all the plant species were shown,
epidermal cell surfaces, stomata length on both surfaces, where the apex of the leaves was round in S. alata and
stomata width on both surfaces, stomata size on both surfaces acuminate in Senna occidentalis. Habit was all shrubby except
and frequency were observed, measured and then recorded. In S. alata and S. siamea that were either shrubby or trees. The
addition, trichome type, number, length, width and size were leaf shape was ovate in most species except Senna siamea that
observed, measured and recorded using a calibrated eye piece was linear. Leaf base was either acute or obtuse (Table 3).
micrometer from 50 different epidermal cell peels.

Table 2: Epidermal characters in Senna and Cassia species in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
S/N Taxa Epidermal cell shape Anticlinal wall shape Stomatal type
Adaxial Abaxial Adaxial Abaxial Adaxial Abaxial
1 S. alata Polygonal Irregular Straight Curved Anisocytic Paracytic and anisocytic
2 S. siberiana polygonal polygonal Curved Curved Paracytic Paracytic
3 S. hirsutae Polygonal Irregular Slightly straight Curved Paracytic Paracytic
4 S. siamea Polygonal Polygonal Slightly straight curved Anisocytic Anisocytic
5 S. singueana Polygonal Polygonal Slightly straight Straight Paracytic Anomocytic
6 S. obtusfolia Polygonal polygonal Slightly straight Straight Paracytic Paracytic and anisocytic
7 S. occidentalis Irregular Polygonal Slightly curved Curved Paracytic Anisocytic and paracytic
8 C. absus polygonal Polygonal Curved Irregular Anisocytic Anisocytic

Table 3: Leaf morphological features of Senna and CassiaSpecies studied in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
S/N Taxa Apex Shape Base Habit Hausa Name
1 [Link] Round Oblong Oblong-Obov Shrub/tree Claskonbature
2 S. siberiana Obtuse Oblong Round Shrub Gamafada
3 [Link] Acute Ovate Acute Shrub Asuta
4 [Link] Round/obtuse Ovate Obtuse Shrub Runhu
5 [Link] Micronulates linear Obtuse Tree Runhunbature
6 S. obtusfolia Obtuse Obovate Acute Shrub Tafasa
7 [Link] Acuminate Ovate Acute Shrub Rai dore
8 [Link] Obtuse Ovate Round Shrub Pidili

There was presence of non-glandular unicellular and The components of stomata in various sampled species of
unbranched trichome in all species except S. obtusfolia which plants are shown in Table 5 where S. obtusifolia (25.60 µm)
had multiseriate trichomes. S. siberiana (83.85 µm) had had the highest number with C. absus (11.05 µm) been the
significant number per field of view in the upper surface and least. In the lower surfaces, S. hirsutae (42.75 µm) recorded
the least number was in S. alata (25.90 µm). There was the highest NPV value and the least was [Link] (3.12-
significant difference in length in the upper trichrome which 0.02 µm). Senna siberiana (166.95 µ) had highest NE
was highest in S. singueana (25.13 µm) and the least was in S. contents in the upper surface where C. absus (51.05-1.92 µm)
siamea (0.50 µm). The width was highest in S. alata (4.55 recorded the lowest. The number of epidermal cell in lower
µm) and least in S. siberiana (1.68 µm). surfaces of plants species was highest in S. siamea (162.40
There was significant difference in the number per field of µm) and the least in C. absus (70.9-1.96 µm). Upper surfaces
view in the lower trichrome surface as S. singueana had a of S. hirsutae (6.00 µ) had the highest SL while S. siamea
highest number of non-glandular unicellular unbranched (4.20 µm) had the least. Senna hirsutae (2.22 µ) recorded
trichrome recordings (80.80 µm) (Table 4). The least was significantly better SL also in the lower surface while S.
recorded in S. siamea (3.74 µm). Length was found to be siamea (1.32 µm) recorded the least.
highest in Cassia absus (24.57-1.48 µm) and S. siamea (5.32 There was significant decrease in SW concentration upper
µm) recorded the least length in the lower surface. The width surfaces of leaves plants species from S. occidentalis (3.70
was highest in S. alata (4.34 µm) and S. obtusfolia (0.53-0.23 µm) with S. singueana (1.36-0.10 µm). There was no
µm). significant difference in SW value in the lower leave surfaces

FUW Trends in Science & Technology Journal, [Link]

e-ISSN: 24085162; p-ISSN: 20485170; October, 2018: Vol. 3 No. 2A pp. 488 – 495 489
 Taxonomic Delimitation of Senna and Cassia Species

of all the sampled plants species. The highest and the lowest (1.42 µm) was the highest, while S. alata (0.83 µm) had the
SW value was obtained in S. hirsutae (1.51 µm) and S. least.
obtusifolia (0.85 µm), respectively. The PL value of the upper The PW value in the upper surface was highest in S.
leave surface was highest in C. absus (3.05 µm) while S. singueana (3.83-0.17 µm) with S. siamea (1.15 µm) having
siamea (1.80 µm) had the least. Similarly, PL concentration in the least. PW value in lower surfaces of plant species did not
the leave lower surface did not differ significantly among the differ significantly. S-size of the upper surface of S.
plants species; S. occidentalis (1.42 µm) was the highest, occidentalis (21.42 µm) was highest and S. siamea (9.68 µm)
while S. alata (0.83 µm) had the least. had the least S-Size. The S-size in the lower surface was
The PW value in the upper surface was highest in S. highest in S. hirsutae (340-0.21 µm) and the lowest S-size
singueana (3.83-0.17 µm) with S. siamea (1.15 µm) having value was obtained in S. obtusifolia (1.36 µm).The upper
the least. PW value in lower surfaces of plant species did not surface P-Size of S. hirsutae (4.80 µ) was highest. The P-size
differ significantly. The highest and the lowest SW value was of the all the lower leave surfaces of plants species did not
obtained in S. hirsutae (1.51 µm) and S. obtusifolia (0.85 µm). differ significantly but it was largest in C. absus (0.78 µ),
The PL value of the upper leave surface was highest in C. while S. alata (0.32 µ) had the lowest value.
absus (3.05 µm) while S. siamea (1.80 µm) had the least.
Similarly, PL concentration in the leave lower surface did not
differ significantly among the plants species; S. occidentalis

Table 4: Distribution of Trichome in the surfaces of Senna and Cassia species in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (µm)
Unicellular Multicellular
S/N Plant species
Surfaces NPV LT WT NPV LT WT
1 S. obtusfolia Upper 14.70±1.72d 18.31±2.38bc 4.45±1.49a 1.35±0.68c 3.78±1.74bc 0.81±0.35b
Lower 20.65±2.07c 22.61±3.85a 1.89±0.13bc 2.05±1.11e 6.58±2.65d 0.53±0.23c
2 S. siamea Upper 20.95±2.74cd 10.5±0.98d 2.00±0.17b ND ND ND
Lower 3.74±1.61e 5.32±1.53c 0.91±0.25d ND ND ND
3 S. singueana Upper 46.80±1.88d 25.13±2.00a 2.42±0.13b ND ND ND
Lower 80.80±3.53a 22.68±1.87a 1.96±0.11b ND ND ND
4 [Link] Upper ND ND ND ND ND ND
Lower 11.10±0.73d 19.18±1.27b 3.96±0.15a ND ND ND
5 S. alata Upper 25.90±2.63c 20.65±1.05abc 4.55±0.22a ND ND ND
Lower 26.60±2.23b 16.38±0.87b 4.34±0.25a ND ND ND
6 S. siberiana Upper 83.85±4.43a 17.50±1.20c 1.68±0.07c ND ND ND
Lower 47.65±3.60a 14.84±0.88c 1.47±0.05b ND ND ND
7 [Link] Upper 14.70±1.89d 22.89±2.31ab 1.71±0.19b ND ND ND
Lower 12.90±1.22d 22.61±2.08a 1.51±0.12c ND ND ND
8 C. absus Upper 39.9±3.34b 15.75±0.99c 1.96±0.15b ND ND ND
Lower 40.6±1.55b 24.57±1.48a 1.79±0.19b ND ND ND
Means with different superscripts along the column differed significantly (P < 0.05)
NPV = Number per view, LT= length, WT= width, ± Plus or minus standard error, ND= not detected

Table 5: Distribution of stomata in the leave surfaces of Senna and Cassia species in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
S/N Plants species Surfaces NPV NE SL(µm) SW(µm) PL(µm) PW(µm) S-Size(µm) P-Size(µ)
a b c de c bc c
1 S. obtusfolia Upper 25.60±2.02 141.25±7.08 4.83±0.25 2.60±0.14 2.35±0.13 1.40±0.09 13.34±1.21 3.33±0.35b
Lower 18.55±1.56bc 126.15±1.80b 1.56±0.09d 0.85±0.04a 0.99±0.07a 0.34±0.00b 1.36±0.12c 0.33±0.02c
ab ab d e d c c
2 S. siamea Upper 20.40±1.92 153.80±7.71 4.20±0.26 2.25±0.18 1.80±0.14 1.15±0.05 9.68±1.31 2.06±0.20c
Lower 18.35±2.30bc 162.4±4.69a 1.32±0.09e 1.32±0.51a 1.22±0.51a 0.37±0.02b 1.94b±0.88bc 0.44±0.88a
c d
3 S. singuena Upper 10.15±0.60 83.95±4.59 1.87±0.07e 1.36±0.10f 5.52±0.32a 3.83±0.17a 2.13±0.18d 0.22±0.02d
Lower 4.05±0.36d 85.79±2.49d 1.70±0.07c 0.86±0.05a 0.71±0.02a 0.39±0.02b 1.39±0.14c 0.26±0.02d
a ab ab a bc b
4 S. occidentalis Upper 25.85±2.88 155.9±9.19 5.75±0.16 3.70±0.15 2.75±0.14 1.48±0.09 21.42±1.15 4.07±0.35ab
a

b a bc a a a
Lower 22.85±1.76 158.1±7.62 1.96±0.06 1.39±0.07 1.42±0.50 0.54±0.05 2.72±0.16bc 0.68±0.16a
5 S. alata Upper 19.25±1.43b 145.5±9.64ab 5.35±0.20bc 3.13±0.17bc 2.50±0.13c 1.30±0.08bc 16.95±1.25b 3.31±0.34b
Lower 22.35±1.64b 107.45±6.51c 1.9±0.06c 1.09±0.05a 0.83±0.04a 0.38±0.02b 2.12±0.13bc 0.32±0.13c
6 S. siberiana Upper 20.20±1.07ab 166.95±7.88a 5.05±0.15c 2.55±0.14de 2.63±0.17bc 1.18±0.08c 13.05±0.91c 3.30±0.48b
Lower 3.12±0.02e 79.34±3.54e 1.53±0.05d 0.72±0.04a 0.57±0.01a 0.34±0.01b 1.04±0.10d 0.24±0.01d
7 S. hirsute Upper 21.55±1.90ab 105.20±3.06c 6.00±0.18a 3.48±0.19ab 3.00±0.14b 1.55±0.10b 21.33±1.63a 4.80±0.46a
Lower 42.75±1.87a 126.60±9.25b 2.22±0.08a 1.51±0.07a 1.16±0.05a 0.57±0.05a 3.40±0.21a 0.69±0.08a
8 C. abrus Upper 11.05±0.45c 51.05±1.92e 5.65±0.17ab 2.95±0.15cd 3.05±0.14b 1.30±0.08bc 16.90±1.19b 4.03±0.37ab
c
Lower 15.25±0.73 70.9±1.96d 2.14±0.08ab 1.12±0.07a 1.16±0.07a 0.53±0.06a 2.52±0.24abc 0.78±0.24a
Means with different superscripts along the column differed significantly (P<0.05)
NPV=Number Per View, S-Size=Stomata Size, P-Size=Pore size, NE=Number of Epidermal Cell, SL=Stoma length, PW=Pore
width SW=Stomata width, PL=Pore length,± Plus or minus standard error

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e-ISSN: 24085162; p-ISSN: 20485170; October, 2018: Vol. 3 No. 2A pp. 488 – 495 490
 Taxonomic Delimitation of Senna and Cassia Species

The variations among the species were used to construct the increased stomatalength ensures efficient gaseous exchange
dichotomous Taxonomic key below; that affect the efficiency of photosynthesis of the plant species
1. Trees-----2 and that such features ensure high adaptability to new
1. Shrubs-----4 environment. The frequency of stomata was found to be
higher in the upper than lower surface in the studied species.
2. Leaflets linear------ Senna siamea The preponderance of stomata on the upper than lower surface
2. Leaflets ovate------3 is a mechanism to reduce water loss through transpiration
(Adegbite, 2008). Several ecological factors may influence
3. Seed colour black----- Senna singueana this distribution very strongly (e.g. humidity, wind, position of
3. Seed colour white-----4 the leaf on the stem). The number of upper epidermal cell was
also generally high compared to lower surface in all the plants
4. Fruit hairy------ Senna hirsutae species. High epidermal cells that are associated with upper
4. Fruit not hairy----5 stomata may be due to their location in the leave which is
directly in contact with the sun light. Exposure to direct sun
5. Seed obovate------ Cassia absus rays could lead to development of thicker epidermal cells as
5. Seed Oval-------6 noted in all the species.
This study has also shown that S. siamea and C. absus also
6. Abaxial Trichomes glandular and multicellular----7 have some relations in that they have polygonal epidermal
6. Adaxial Trichomes non glandular and multiseriate------ cells and anisocytic stomata but differ in anticlinal wall type.
Senna obtusfolia S. obtusfolia can easily be distinguished from the other
species of Senna by presence of glandular multicellular
7. Adaxial Trichomes non glandular and unicellular------ trichomes S. occidentalis and S. hirsutae also share some
Senna alata characteristics with epidermal cells been polygonal, paracytic
7. Adaxial Trichomes and glandular multicellular-----8 stomata, morphological characteristics also like acute base,
ovate leaf shape, acute apex and oval seed shape (Saheed and
8. Abaxial Stomata anomocytic-------9 Illo, 2010). Results obtained from the present study have been
8. Adaxial and Abaxial Stomata paracytic----Senna siberiana found congruent with that of Ogundipe et al. (2009) and
Shaheed and Illo (2010).
9. Epidermal cell irregular
9. Epidermal cell polygonal--------Senna occidentalis Conclusion
Results obtained from this study show that the morphological
features of the leaves revealed vital information which may
Taxonomically, Senna and Cassia are very complex genus play an important role in identification of species. The
owing to the polymorphism of a number of species and the similarities in epidermal structure showed interspecies
absence of intrageneric incompatibility. Interspecific and relationship and reason for them to be in the same family
unprogressive hybridization between related species is a very while differences showed reason for them to exist as distinct
common feature of these genera and the main cause of species.
variation. The resulting hybrids often have intermediate or
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FUW Trends in Science & Technology Journal, [Link]

e-ISSN: 24085162; p-ISSN: 20485170; October, 2018: Vol. 3 No. 2A pp. 488 – 495 492
 Taxonomic Delimitation of Senna and Cassia Species

FUW Trends in Science & Technology Journal, [Link]

e-ISSN: 24085162; p-ISSN: 20485170; October, 2018: Vol. 3 No. 2A pp. 488 – 495 493
 Taxonomic Delimitation of Senna and Cassia Species

FUW Trends in Science & Technology Journal, [Link]

e-ISSN: 24085162; p-ISSN: 20485170; October, 2018: Vol. 3 No. 2A pp. 488 – 495 494
 Taxonomic Delimitation of Senna and Cassia Species

FUW Trends in Science & Technology Journal, [Link]

e-ISSN: 24085162; p-ISSN: 20485170; October, 2018: Vol. 3 No. 2A pp. 488 – 495 495

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