Foliar anatomy of neotropical Salicaceae: potentially useful characters for taxonomy

The taxonomy of neotropical Salicaceae, a family that now includes the majority of the former Flacourtiaceae, has been problematic, especially because they display very diverse morphology and have several characteristics in common with many other families. Recent phylogenetic studies have proposed s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Plant systematics and evolution 2014-11, Vol.300 (9), p.2073-2089
Main Authors: Thadeo, Marcela, Azevedo, Aristéa A, Meira, Renata M. S. A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Achariaceae
Anatomy
Biological taxonomies
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Casearia
Crystals
Flacourtiaceae
Leaves
Life Sciences
Microscopy
Morphology
Original Article
Parenchyma
Petioles
Phloem
Phylogeny
Physical characteristics
Plant Anatomy/Development
Plant Ecology
Plant Sciences
Plant Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography
Plants
Salicaceae
School campuses
sclerenchyma
Stomata
Taxonomy
Trichomes
tropics
Vascular bundles
Vascular system
Xylosma
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Summary:The taxonomy of neotropical Salicaceae, a family that now includes the majority of the former Flacourtiaceae, has been problematic, especially because they display very diverse morphology and have several characteristics in common with many other families. Recent phylogenetic studies have proposed substantial changes at both family and generic levels. Considering the importance of anatomy as an aid for taxonomy, the gathering of anatomical data for the family is fundamental to help clarify the taxonomic problems. Leaves belonging to Abatia americana (four samples), Banara brasiliensis (2), Casearia arborea (4), C. decandra (5), C. gossypiosperma (2), C. obliqua (1), C. sylvestris (3), C. ulmifolia (3), Prockia crucis (3), and Xylosma prockia (4) and the closely related Carpotroche brasiliensis (3) from Achariaceae, were studied by standard microscopy techniques. The leaves were anatomically described, emphasizing their differences and similarities. Similar characters for the neotropical Salicaceae (former Flacourtiaceae) and Salicaceae strictu sensu were recognized, such as the presence of salicoid leaf teeth, brachyparacytic stomata, secondary growth of the petiole, abundance of crystals, collateral and arch-shaped vascular system at the midrib, and sclerenchyma accompanying the bundles. These data demonstrate that leaf anatomy can provide evidence to assist with the taxonomy of Salicaceae, at family, generic, and specific levels.
ISSN:0378-2697
1615-6110
2199-6881
DOI:10.1007/s00606-014-1037-5