Descriptive Anatomy of Invasive Weed, Ruellia tuberosa Linn.

Abstract

Ruellia tuberosa is an invasive weed found growing in wide range of habitat particularly those habitats not preferred by other weeds mostly where there is little availability of water. This work studied the anatomical structures that aid its survival and colonization in these habitats. Samples of the plant were collected from open habitats of different catena profiles in the fields around South Western Region of Nigeria. Anatomical studies carried out on it by preparation of microscopic slides from specimens of the leaf epidermis, stem and roots showed the features that aid its adaptation to these habitats such as even distribution of stomata on leaves, possession of numerous parenchyma cells in its tuberous roots for storage, and possession of long unicellular trichomes on leaves, stem and roots.