Chromosome Counts and Morphological Studies in the Tribe Cercideae from Northern Nigeria

Chromosome counts and morphological studies of some leguminous taxa of tribe Cercideae from wild populations in Northern Nigeria were carried out to determine their chromosome numbers, phenology their relationships with the soils on which they were found growing. Results from chromosome counts confirm the previous reports of n=14 for Bauhinia monandra, B. rufescens and n= 13 for Piliostigma thonningii.The chromosome number of n= 13+1B and n=12+1B was recorded for the first time in Bauhinia tomentosa and Piliostigma reticulatum respectively. The distribution maps of the investigated taxa and their phenological data are presented for the first time.