Vol. 15 No. 97- 105 (2024): FLORAL AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATIONS OF TWO MORPHOTYPES OF PRIDE OF BARBADOS (CAESALPINIA PULCHERRIMA L.)

Floral and molecular characterizations of two morphotypes of Caesalpinia pulcherrima were
undertaken in this study. The sampled plants were growing in three different locations as
ornamentals within Ilorin metropolis, Kwara State. Leaf and floral samples were obtained and
transported to the laboratory of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Federal University, Oye Ekiti
where the floral characteristics (numbers of the floral leaves, their lengths and colours; the
fertility of the pollens, their diameter and their production per anther and also per flower)
were evaluated. Molecular analyses were also done at the Bioscience Center, Institute of
Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, following standard procedures. The variegated red type has red
coloured petals with yellow fringes while its sepal is tinged red. Its pedicels and ovule are
green coloured while its style, anther and the filaments were all red coloured. The yellow type
had yellowish petals and sepals, its pedicels and ovules are also green while the style, anther
and the filaments were all yellow coloured. The petals and the sepals in the two morphotypes
were five each; the pedicel, ovule and style for the flower were one each while the number of
anthers and filaments were 10 for each. The lengths of pedicels (variegated red, 2.98cm;
yellow, 1.86cm), styles (variegated red, 4.18cm; yellow, 2.94cm) and the filaments (variegated
red, 3.98cm; yellow, 2.90cm) were significantly different in the two morphotypes. Their pollen
diameters showed no significant differences while the pollens produced per anther (red,
3765.0; yellow, 3860.25) and pollen produced per flower (red, 37650; yellow, 38602.5)
showed significant differences between the two types. Their pollen fertilities (red, 77.5%;
yellow, 75.9%) were also statistically different. Molecular assays using bar code method also
revealed marked differences in their phylogenetic relationships. This study helps to
understand the importance of the floral features in plant diversity studies, in plant adaptation,
identification and classification.