Characterization of three khaya species used in Nigeria as a medicinal plants for proper identification using wood anatomy

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Abstract

The three Nigerian Khaya species, K. senegalensis (K. S) A.Juss (Welw), K. grandifoliola (K. G) C.Dc , and K. ivorensis (K. I) A.Chev, are phenotypically similar yet differ in their traditional medicinal efficacy against malaria and sickle-cell disease. To facilitate reliable identification and pharmacopoeial standardization, we characterized their wood micro-morphology. Mature, tension-free stem samples were collected from university botanical gardens and forestry reserves, softened in 5% NaOH, and sectioned at 10 μm for transverse, tangential, and radial analyses. Parallel macerates were prepared in Schultz’s fluid, stained with Safranin O and Alcian blue, and examined under photomicroscope; dimensions of vessels, fibers, and pores were obtained via micrometry. All three species exhibited a diffusely porous wood without growth rings. K. senegalensis bore 2–6 pore multiples (predominantly 2–4), abundant tyloses, numerous tannins, and the highest density of prismatic crystals and druses. K. grandifoliola displayed 2–17 pore multiples with moderate tyloses and secretory canals, while K. ivorensis featured 2–5 pore multiples and notably balanced solitary vessels. In longitudinal views, multiseriate (2–5 seriate in K. senegalensis, 2–7 in K. grandifoliola, 2–4 in K. ivorensis) and scanty uniseriate rays were non-storied across species; tannin distribution in K. ivorensis rays was particularly sparse. Macerate analysis revealed that K. grandifoliola had the longest vessels (9.60 μm ± 3.29) and the widest vessel diameter (2.30 μm ± 1.28), whereas K. senegalensis fibers were the longest (33.00 μm ± 5.58) and K. ivorensis presented an intermediate profile. These distinct anatomical “fingerprints” support accurate delimitation of the three mahogany species and provide a solid basis for their pharmacognostic standardization and informed medicinal use.

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