ULTRASTRUCTURAL MICROMORPHOLOGY OF BULBINE ABYSSINICA A. RICH. GROWING IN THE EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA

Abstract

The genus Bulbine (Asphodelaceae) comprises about 40 species in South Africa. Bulbine abyssinica is a succulent member of the genus that occurs from the Eastern Cape, through Swaziland, Lesotho, and further north to Ethiopia. The species is often used in traditional medicine to treat rheumatism dysentery, bilharzia and diabetes. Inspite of its ethno medicinal value, not much data concerning the micro-morphological features is available in literature. The present study was undertaken to examine the ultra-morphological features of the leaf, stem and root of the plant using light and scanning electron microscopes and the elemental composition. The elemental compositions of the plant parts were done using energy dispersive x- ray spectroscopy. The mean length and width of the guard cells in the abaxial surface are 0.15 ± 0.002 mm and 0.14 ± 0.002 mm, respectively while those of the adaxial surface are 0.14 ± 0.001 mm and 0.12 ± 0.001 mm, respectively. The electron microscopy revealed the presence of crystals in the leaves, stems and roots. The EDXS microanalysis of the crystals revealed the presence of sodium, silicon, potassium and calcium as the major constituents. The leaf also showed the presence of iron and magnesium, while the stem had aluminium, phosphorous and magnesium. The X-ray analysis of the roots also revealed the presence of sulphur and aluminium. The presence of these elements, which are vital in maintaining good health status, suggests the potential role of B. abyssinica in the treatment of infections and some chronic diseases, especially diabetes mellitus.