Edwin-Wosu, N. L.
Comparative morphological characterizations on four species of Anthocleista found in Nigeria were carried out in parts of Niger Delta area in order to determine the suitability for intraspecific taxonomic delimitation. Using the ecological standard procedure for random sampling the areas covered include States of Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa- Ibom and Cross River. Though the species are generally perennial, shrubby trees with apparent similarity in diagnostic features, and with the study locality not actually influencing their morphology, they have recorded differences in their habit and branching pattern, ecology (habitat), bole texture, leaf and petiole sizes, inflorescence, flower and fruit. The variations observed on the vegetative and floral morphology could possibly prove taxonomically useful as a baseline in delimiting the different taxa at the intraspecific level and enhance the already existing Floristic information on the species.
