Comparative foliar epidermal morphology of the West African species of Amaranthaceae JUSS.
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Date
2012
Authors
Ogundipe, O.T.
Kadiri, A. B.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wiley online library
Abstract
The species are generally amphistomatic except Pandiaka heudelotii that is hypostomatic. Anomocytic and paracytic stomatal types were mostly found but cyclocytic and diacytic types may accompany, especially in Cyathula spp. The anticlinal wall pattern varies from undulate to curved and curved straight in the family. Other useful epidermal features are peltate scales, trichomes of different types such as candelabra type, unicellular and multicellular conical types, long acicular glandular forms that may be tuberculate or non-tuberculate and the filiform type; all can be employed at species level for delimitation purpose. Sub-familial grouping of the genera is supported while monophyly and polyphyly suggested in Gomphrenoideae and Amarantheae respectively can be inferred from the extent of character variations in the species. An indented dichotomous key is presented for species delimitation.
Description
Keywords
Leaf epidermis , taxonomy , Amaranthaceae
Citation
Ogundipe, O. T. and Kadiri, A. B. (2012). Comparative foliar epidermal morphology of the West African species of Amaranthaceae JUSS. Feddes Repertorium 123(2): 97–116