Abstract

Petiole anatomy of 12 species of Asteraceae around Ile-Ife in South-Western Nigeria was described. Transverse section of the petiole (median) was cut at 20 µ using Reichert Sledge Microtome. The specimens were stained in 1% aqueous solution of Safranin O for 5 min, washed in three changes of water to remove excess stain and counterstained in 1% solution of Alcian blue for 5 min, and cleared in xylene. The section was mounted in DPX. The distinguishing characteristics of taxonomic value include, shapes of the petioles, variation in the number, arrangement and shapes of vascular bundles, types of trichomes.

Key words: Asteraceae, petiole, anatomy, taxonomic, trichomes.