Abstract

The morphotaxonomic identity of Crassocephalum biafrae (Oliv. & Hiern.) S. Moore was compared with other three taxa namely: Crassocehalum crepidioides (Benth.) S. Moore, Crassocephalum rubens (Juss.ex.Jacq.) S. Moore and, Crassocephalum togoense C.D. Adams in the genus Crassocephalum tribe Senecioneae; with the intent of establishing some delimiting features truly uniting (or otherwise) the taxa. C. biafrae was clearly separable from C. crepidioides, C. rubens and C. togoense on the basis of growth habit, stem texture, leaf shape, size, apex, and texture. Other morphological evidences separating these are well documented. Morphological characters considered being of taxonomic significance were widely manifested by C. biafrae as differing from the other three species. There was evidence of more similarities and overlaps in morphological attributes of these other three species. However, the somewhat narrow morphological similarities exhibited by C. biafrae to the other three species suggest infrageneric segregation in the genus. We hereby suggest the infrageneric group for C. biafraefrom the genus Crassocephalum based on its strikingly distinctive morphological characteristics.

Key words: Crassocephalum, morphotaxonomic identity, Southwestern Nigeria