Taxonomic Considerations on the Bast Fibres in the Genus Sida L. (Malvaceae) in Nigeria

The distributional pattern of the bast fibres strands or bundles in the stems of Sida species represented in Nigeria is studied. Three major patterns of arrangement are recognized, namely aggregation of fibre strands into units with wedge-shaped, or triangular, rectangular, rhomboidal, square and trapezoid outlines; serial arrangement of fibre strands into rings or circular, ovoid, semi-circular or crescentic rows; and intermediate pattern in which both fibre strands-aggregates and serial rows of strands patterns are combined. The first pattern is found in S. linifolia, S. urens and S. scabrida, the second in S. cordifolia, S. pilosa, S. ovata, S. rhombifolia and S. spinosa, and the third in S. garckeana, and S. acuta. A dichotomous key based on these features is presented. Dimensional characteristics of the bast fibre cells are also given.