Taxonomic Studies on the Genus Cissus L.

This study was aimed at addressing the problematic taxonomy of the genus Cissus L. Using three species namely; Cissus aralioides (Welw. Ex Bak.) Planch, Cissus petiolata Hook.f and Cissus lageniflora Gilg and Brandt found in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. The investigation was carried out using morphological, anatomical (wax embedding technique), epidermal and phytochemical lines of evidence. Macromorphology results showed that Cissus aralioides, Cissus lageniflora and Cissus petiolata matured leaf possess digitately compound leaf type, trifoliate compound leaf type and simple leaf type respectively. Micromorphological results showed that all studied species were hypostomatic with anomocytic stomata type present in the abaxial surface of all species. Epidermal cell shape of the adaxial and abaxial surface of all species were pentagonal and irregular to polygonal respectively. Transverse sections of the petiole and stem of studied species shows an arranged and open vascular bundles in all species, variations where however seen in the number of vascular bundles.