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SEED MORPHOLOGY AND SYSTEMATICS OF MENYANTHACEAE
Author(s) -
Chuang T. I.,
Ornduff Robert
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.1002/j.1537-2197.1992.tb13750.x
Subject(s) - biology , systematics , morphology (biology) , coat , biological dispersal , botany , seed dispersal , interspecific competition , ecology , zoology , taxonomy (biology) , population , demography , sociology
Scanning electron microscopic investigations of seed morphology of the five genera of Menyanthaceae illustrate a remarkable diversity of seed characteristics for a small family. Seeds of the monotypic northern hemisphere Menyanthes and Fauria are unomamented and similar, and those of the monotypic Liparophyllum of New Zealand and Tasmania are similar to some Australian species of Villarsia . Seed characteristics within the larger genera Villarsia and Nymphoides are variable and mostly species specific, but do not lend support to taxonomic separation of these genera. Interspecific affinities postulated on other grounds are, in many instances, supported by seed morphology. Various seed‐coat features are believed to aid in water or animal dispersal of the seeds of several species. Ant dispersal appears to be important for Villarsia and Nymphoides in Australia, but does not seem to occur in these genera or in other members of the family outside of Australia.