Biosystematic studies in Loganiaceae (Series 2): Histochemical Localisation of Tannins in Species of Anthocliesta Found In Parts of Niger Delta Tropical Rainforest of Nigeria

A histochemical study on the localization of tannins was carried out on four tree species of the Anthocleista in the Loganiaceae family in parts of Niger Delta tropical rainforest of Nigeria using a photomicrograph. The species include; Anthocleista nobilis G. Don, Anthocleista liebrechtsiana De Wild, Anthocleista djalonesis A. Chev, and Anthocleista vogelii Planch. Tannins were found to be of universal occurrence among these taxa. Similarities and variations were however found in the intensity and distribution of this ergastic substance among the petiole and stem organs of the individual species. In petiole A. vogelii recorded high tannin content in all the tissues. Anthocleista nobilis and A. liebrechtsiana however their high content recorded moderate content in xylem and pith while A. djalonesis had high content in epidermis and phloem tissues and moderate content in other tissues. In stem tissues A. nobilis recorded high content except in xylem and pith. Anthocleista liebrechtsiana had moderate content in epidermis and low content in all other tissues while A. djalonesis had low content in vascular bundles and pith and moderate content in other tissues. Anthocleista vogelii recorded high content in epidermis, parenchyma and phloem part of the bundle and moderate content in the rest stem tissues studied. Generally the increased presence of tannins in the tissues of the petioles as against those of the stem observed