Botany-Scholarly Publications
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- ItemOpen AccessTaxonomic significance of the epicalix in the genus Hibiscus (Malvaceae)(Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences., 2012) Ayanbamiji, T. A.; Ogundipe, O.T.; Olowokudejo, J. D.The epicalyx may be defined as a whorl of bracts below or beside the calyx, occasionally referred to as an extra calyx. Such structures attract little emphasis in floral morphology because they are absent in many flowering plants. A detailed study of the morphology of epicalyxes in some species of Hibiscus L. was carried out. The number, size, shape, structure and orientation of bracteoles of the epicalyx were found to be useful in the identification of species. On the basis of cohesion and adhesion of the epicalyx to the calyx, the species of Hibiscus can be divided into four major taxonomic groups. The morphological features of the epicalyx are suspected to be phylogenetic and, therefore, are seen as preliminary tools for the review of the sections in this genus. A dichotomous key for identification of the species is prepared, based exclusively on the reported features. The floral formulae are also presented for the first time.