Open AccessComparative vegetative anatomy and systematics of Laeliinae (Orchidaceae)
Author(s) -
STERN WILLIAM LOUIS,
CARLSWARD BARBARA S.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
botanical journal of the linnean society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.872
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1095-8339
pISSN - 0024-4074
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8339.2009.00818.x
Subject(s) - biology , orchidaceae , systematics , taxon , monophyly , botany , anatomy , taxonomy (biology) , phylogenetics , clade , biochemistry , gene
Laeliinae are one of the most prominent orchid subtribes, with c. 40 genera and nearly 1500 species, and contain a disparate group of taxa with widely varying morphological features. There does not appear to be a complex of characters to which one can refer in order to delineate the subtribe as a whole. Thus, it was thought that vegetative anatomy might provide clues to the monophyly of the group. The microscopic structure of the leaves, stems and roots of representatives of most of the genera was studied. It was concluded that the anatomy lacks overall uniformity and that vegetative characters alone are insufficient to assess the relationships amongst the genera. The only nearly consistent anatomical feature was the abaxial row of fibre bundles in the leaves. Thus, anatomically, as well as morphologically, Laeliinae are a mixed bag. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2009, 160 , 21–41.