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Leaf anatomy and its taxonomic significance in phytelephantoid palms (Arecaceae)
Author(s) -
Barfod Anders
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
nordic journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.333
H-Index - 33
eISSN - 1756-1051
pISSN - 0107-055X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1756-1051.1988.tb00509.x
Subject(s) - arecaceae , biology , palm , botany , vascular bundle , anatomy , physics , quantum mechanics
The leaf anatomy of the genera Phytelephas, Palandra and Ammandra (Arecaceae) is described and compared. The anatomical features considered to be of taxonomic importance include: the distribution of fibre bundles and minor veins in mesophyll and hypodermis, the relative size of the cells of the stomatal complex and whether the costal bands of eleongated cells are conspicuous in surface view or not. Species of Palandra and Phytelephas form an anatomically homogenous group. The two species of Ammandra differ in their anatomy, although they have several xeromorphic adaptations in common. This is peculiar as they both grow in humid habitats.