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Fruit morphological and anatomical characteristics are essential in the taxonomy of Apiaceae. Daucus L. is one of the most important genera of the family Apiaceae, as it contains the cultivated carrot, a crop of great economic importance, and about 40 wild species that could serve as potential sources of genetic diversity for crop improvement. However, the taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships among these species have not yet been fully clarified. In this study, we comparatively investigated the fruit morphology and anatomy of 13 Daucus taxa and four closely related non-Daucus species using light and scanning electron microscopy to evaluate the taxonomic value of these characteristics. A wide range of variations was observed in the fruit morpho-anatomical characteristics across the taxa and revealed several diagnostically valuable features, thus proving to be taxonomically useful. For Daucus, the observed differences included the fruit size (2.1–8.4 mm), shape (from ellipsoid to oblong), and weight (0.079–1.349 g/100 fruits), as well as the fruit surface sculpturing and some anatomical characteristics, i.e., the presence/absence and size of vittae, the shape and size of vascular bundles, and the shape of exocarp cells. This study contributes to a better understanding of the relationships among the genus Daucus.

Information on the reproductive anatomy in genera of the tribe Naucleeae, particularly Cephalanthus, is scarce and fragmented. Of the six species in the genus, only the mature megagamethophyte of Cephalanthus occidentalis has been described. This study aims to provide information on embryological aspects in flowers of C. glabratus and to analyze the morphology and anatomy of the flowers, fruit, and seed in the six species of the genus. Cephalanthus glabratus have imperfect flowers: pistillate (PF) and staminate (SF). In the PF, the ovules are functional, while in the SF, they atrophy during the formation of the embryo sac. The mature ovule has a single integument, corresponds to the Phyllis type and the embryo sac is a Polygonum type, forming only in the PF. The presence of pollenkitt and secondary presentation of pollen were observed in the SF, as well as in the pollen formation previously described, whereas in the PF, they are absent, due to the collapse of the pollen grains inside the indehiscent anthers. The analysis of the ontogeny of the ovular excrescence in C. glabratus determined its funicular origin, calling it an aril. Its development is a pre-anthesis event, initiated during megasporogenesis. In seeds, the aril is a fleshy, white appendage which almost completely envelops the seeds of Cephalanthus, except for Cephalanthus natalensis where it is noticeably more reduced. Studies of the fruit in Cephalanthus species indicate that the infructescence is a dry schizocarp which separates into uni-seminated mericarps, except in C. natalensis that has fleshy indehiscent fruit.

Fruit morphology of the tribe Malveae has been discussed since the first taxonomic classifications of Malvaceae. The fruits are schizocarps, with some genera possessing an endoglossum. Besides morphological variation in the endoglossum, other differences include the number seeds per locule and ornamentation of the exocarp. An in-depth study of the fruit morphology of Malveae is essential to gain insight into the relationships among taxa of the tribe. Therefore, the present study aimed to describe the fruit morphology of Malveae, including micromorphology, variation in endoglossum structure and arrangement of seeds in the locule, to comprehensively evaluate the systematic relationships among its contained taxa. The results indicate morphological variation in fruit of various genera with regard to the number of mericarps, degree of dehiscence, relationship between calyx and fruit and their relative sizes, number and morphology of spines, number of seeds per locule, presence or absence of an endoglossum, presence and types of trichomes in exocarp and endocarp, and shape and presence of trichomes in the testa of seeds. Despite the morphological proximity of taxa, there are distinct combinations of characters that define some genera, and when one or more characters overlap, joint analysis makes it possible to clarify existing relationships.

The neotropical genus Nycticalanthus Ducke (1932: 341) belongs to Rutaceae and was described by Ducke in 1932. It was based on a single species (N. speciosus Ducke [1932: 341]) with no further species described subsequently. Therefore, it still is a monotypic genus. Nycticalanthus was morphologically characterized by its shrubby to arborescent habit, with alternate, trifoliate leaves; inflorescences in terminal panicles with long pedunculated cymes; pentamerous flowers with tubular calyx, petals free and unequal to each other, five free, ascending stamens with oblong-linear anthers, disk urceolate with crenate-undulate margin, stigma shortly capitate, ovary divided in five locules with two ovules in each locule and gynophore obconic-elongated; fruit schizocarp, composed by two or three follicles, each bearing a single oblong seed (Ducke 1932).

Sosnowsky’s hogweed (Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden.) mericarps were collected from satellite and stem branch umbels for comparative anatomical investigation. Located near Vilnius city, the habitat of Heracleum sosnowskyi, formerly a natural forest edge has recently been densely occupied by plants of this species. SEM micrographs of abaxial and adaxial surfaces of mericarps obtained from satellite and stem branch umbels of H. sosnowskyi were similar, but morphometrical analysis revealed statistically significant differences in mericarps collected from satellite umbels, which were longer and wider than mericarps from stem branch umbels. The data on longitudinal sections of H. sosnowskyi mericarps clearly showed that embryos of satellite umbels were at later torpedo stage compared to embryos of stem branch umbels, which were at earlier heart stage. These data represent unequal development of the embryos in mericarps from different types of umbels. Such different development can be treated as an adaptation of the invasive plant to occupy the current habitat and survive in the seed bank by allowing the embryo to complete development within a seed and germinate when new conditions permit.

The male and female gametophyte development in Seseli resinosum Freyn et Sint were studied with a-light microscope. In order to study the embryology of Seseli resinosum Freyn & Synth that an endemic plant spreading in Zonguldak-Bartin region development of the seed and embryo have been examined. Embryo development of Seseli resinosum was solanad type. In the sections taken zygote, proembryo, 4-cell embryo, 8-cell embryo, spherical embryo, heart-shaped embryo stages were observed. There are differences in the participation of the integument in the formation of the testa. In Apiaceae, only the epidermis of the outer integument forms the seed coat. Since the fruit type is a schizocarp, the testa and the pericarp are inseparable. Testa was seen as 3 or 6 layers. The layers consist of thin-walled cells. The outermost layer is single row and its thickness is less than the other layers.

Background : As the characterization of medicinal plants is an important aspect of traditional Asian herbal medicine, this study examines the morphological and anatomical characteristics in four fructus form medicinally important plants belonging to the family Apiaceae. Methods and Results : Fruit morphology of four genera was examined using microtome sections and light microscopy. The Anethi Fructus, Anethum graveolens (Siraja) has unique wing-like and membranous lateral ribs that are, approximately wide. The Coriandri Fructus, Coriandrum sativum (Hoyuja) does not have oil ducts at the dorsal region of the mericarp and differs in the development of the dorsal ribs. The ribs appear upon drying and therefore, consist of primary and secondary ribs. The Foeniculi Fructus, Foeniculum vulgare (Hoehyang) characteristically develops three dominant dorsal ribs and has a strong aromatic fragrance. Finally, the Cnidii Fructus, Torilis japonica (Sasangja) has many oil ducts at the dorsal and carpophores regions and develops many hooked trichomes one the fructus surface. Conclusions : We conclude from this study that each plant has several prominent and distinguishing morphological and anatomical characteristics. Therefore, fruit morphology is very useful for identifying these medicinal plants. In addition, the correct use and herbal name need to be standardized for plants used traditionally in Asian medicine within Korea, China, and Japan.

Few studies have reported on the morphology of Malveae fruits; particularly scarce are those examining internal morphology. The fruits of Malveae are considered schizocarps, and inside the mericarps, they have an appendix termed as the endoglossum. This structure presents different degrees of prominence among genera of the tribe, ranging from vestigial to well-developed. Although the external morphology of the endoglossum in Gaya has been studied, few studies have described its anatomy and ontogeny, knowledge which would contribute to our understanding of the evolution of such structure in the context of Malveae. Therefore, we herein propose to establish the origin of the well-developed endoglossum based on the ontogenesis of fruits of two species of Gaya, G. domingensis Urb. and G. gaudichaudiana A.St.-Hil., as well as a description of its tissues. To accomplish this, the usual techniques in plant anatomy were used to produce permanent slides for optical microscopy and sample preparation for scanning electron microscopy. Based on these studies, it was determined that the endoglossum structure in Gaya species has mixed origin, one from the basal portion of the carpelar mesophyll and another from the internal carpel epidermis. It can be concluded that the endoglossum, as herein validated, is a useful character for systematic and phylogenetic analyses in Gaya.

Euphorbiaceae s. str. and Phyllanthaceae were earlier components of Euphorbiaceae. This separation was mainly based on molecular data and also on morphological characteristics. Nevertheless, the structure and development of fruits are poorly investigated in these families and considering this, fruits (pericarp and seed) of Euphorbia hyssopifolia L., Croton glandulosus L. (Euphorbiaceae), Phyllanthus niruri L. and Phyllanthus tenellus Roxb. (Phyllanthaceae) were structurally studied to see in what respects they are similar or different. The Euphorbiaceae schizocarps present two meristems (adaxial and subadaxial) in the ovary wall, but the adaxial meristem is entirely lacking in Phyllanthus fruits. The seeds have an exotegmen with Malpighian palisade cells in Euphorbiaceae species and a short palisade in Phyllanthus. Some special structural features, such as nucellar beak, anatropous ovules and schizocarp fruits were found in all the species and constitute a unique combination. From the present results, it appears that there is no significant difference in fruit and seed development between the studied Euphorbiaceae and Phyllanthaceae.

An analysis (GC and GC/MS) of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (fennel) root and schizocarp essential oils and diethyl ether extracts enabled the identification of 89 different components, representing 98.2-100% of the total samples. One fourth of the identified compounds (24 in total) are reported for the first time as fennel volatiles. The most abundant classes of constituents of all four analyzed samples were the phenylpropanoids (69.5-85.5%) and monoterpenoids (11.7-26.9%). The dominant volatile metabolites of the schizocarps were fenchone (13.3-18.8%) and (E)-anethole (66.1-69.0%). Contrary to that, terpinolene (6.2-6.5%) and dillapiole (71.4-77.5%) were the major volatiles of fennel roots. The most striking differences between the chemical composition of the analyzed oils and their corresponding extracts were a rather surprising presence of a significant relative amount of apiole in the root oil (9.3%; this compound was detected only in trace amounts in the root extract) and the high percentage of 10-nonacosanone in the schizocarp extract (5.8%; this ketone was absent from the schizocarp oil). Possible explanations of the mentioned differences were put forward. The AMS (average mass scan of the total ion chromatogram) profiles/fingerprints of the volatile oils and extracts of F. vulgare roots and fruits are also given in the paper.

The taxa of the genus Euphorbia L. Have seeds that mature in schizocarp fruits, called cocci, with three or more cells, each of which explosively splits open into separate parts at maturity. The Euphorbia seeds have taxonomically useful characters. We studied 13 taxa of the genus Euphorbia distributed in Turkey-in-Europe, with a focus on the seed characters; for morphological observations we used a stereomicroscope, and for surface microstructure we used a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The morphological observations showed that the seed characters of shape, size, color, surface features, and the features of the caruncle are uniquely different. SEM observations showed that the seed surface microstructures are also uniquely different, and detected globules that burst out of the surface between the cells. The function of lipid-rich globules is discussed.

Tribe Smyrnieae. A stout, glabrous, celery-scented, semelparous, facultative biennial herb with thickened tap-root 50-60 cm and finer lateral roots near surface. One or more solid stems 50-150(-180) cm, becoming hollow at fruiting; branches in upper part often opposite. Furrows more apparent and deeper on upper stems. Leaves 2-3-pinnate or -ternate, dark green and glossy; lobes 25-80 mm, ovate to rhombic, serrate or lobed, with obtuse teeth, all stalked. Stem leaves with expanded sheathing petioles. Compound umbels axillary and terminal, subglobose with (3-)4-15(-18) rays (1-)4(-5) cm long with peduncle usually longer than rays. Terminal umbels with male and hermaphrodite flowers in ratio of about 4 : 1; lateral umbels mostly male. Hermaphrodite flowers can produce viable seed. Bracts and bracteoles entire, few or absent. Flowers c. 1.5 mm, yellow to yellowgreen, actinomorphic, shortly pedicellate. Sepals small, stylopodium formed from styles with elongated bases. Black fruit a schizocarp, 7-8 mm, comprising two single-seeded mericarps, broadly ovoid, laterally compressed. Each mericarp with three distinct, sharp ridges and numerous vittae, which exude pungent myrrh-like oil. Air-dry mass of dispersules averages 20.5 mg (Grime et al. 1981) with seeds ranging between 2.5 and 4.0 mg. An introduced species fully naturalized in hedgerows, roadsides, railway embankments, waste places and cliffs, mainly near the sea. Inland sites are frequently associated with old dwellings or ruins, especially monasteries or castles, where it is probably a relic of kitchen gardens. No significant intraspecific variation is known in Britain (Tutin 1980).

The occurrence of polycarpous fruits on six out of 100 sycamore maples, i e. with 3, 4 and 8 fruits on one carpophore is described. Eight-carpous fruits have not been recorded to date in the region of the Serbia and Montenegro, and wider. The cause of the development of polycarpous fruits has been hypothesized.

Production biological and anatomical background of essential oil accumulation in the developing fruits of Foeniculum vulgare Mill, subsp. vulgare var. vulgare (chemovar.; anethole, chemoform; low anethole - low methyl chavicol) were studied. Nine different stages of development of generative organs were distinguished for analysis. It was proved by histological investigations, that oil ducts (vittae) are present in the early stages of development of generative organs, even at the time of bud formation, however their relative area (calculated to the cross section) shows maximum at the time of seed setting (53.6%). The oil yield shows its maximum (11.6%) at that special time and in the early development stages of fruits, when the relative ratio of oil ducts is high and the accumulation of the assimilates (development of endosperm) have not started yet. In contrary the oil yield calculated to one schizocarp is increasing up to the final ripening stages (0.787 μL/fruit) and the process can be describe...

Euphorbiaceae s.l. presents several morphological types of fruits, of which the schizocarp is the most common. The fruits of weed species of Euphorbia graminea Jacq., Euphorbia heterophylla L., Euphorbia hirta L. (= Chamaesyce hirta (L.) Millsp.) and Euphorbia prostrata Aiton (= Chamaesyce prostrata (Aiton) Small) are objects of this study. Inflorescences and fruits in development were collected on the campus of the State University of Maringa (UEM), Brazil, fixed in FAA 50 and glutaraldehyde, dehydrated and sectioned with a rotary microtome according to standard morphology and anatomy techniques. The species present several anatomical similarities, though there are some differences related to the outer epidermis of the ovaries, which is glabrous in E. graminea and hairy in the other species. The ripe fruits present a papilose exocarp and lack trichomes, except for E. hirta. The ovules are anatropous, bitegmic and crassinucellate; the seeds are exotegmic and the embryos are straight.

Euphorbiaceae s.l. presents several morphological types of fruits, of which the schizocarp is the most common. The fruits of weed species of Euphorbia graminea Jacq., Euphorbia heterophylla L., Euphorbia hirta L. (= Chamaesyce hirta (L.) Millsp.) and Euphorbia prostrata Aiton (= Chamaesyce prostrata (Aiton) Small) are objects of this study. Inflorescences and fruits in development were collected on the campus of the State University of Maringa (UEM), Brazil, fixed in FAA 50 and glutaraldehyde, dehydrated and sectioned with a rotary microtome according to standard morphology and anatomy techniques. The species present several anatomical similarities, though there are some differences related to the outer epidermis of the ovaries, which is glabrous in E. graminea and hairy in the other species. The ripe fruits present a papilose exocarp and lack trichomes, except for E. hirta. The ovules are anatropous, bitegmic and crassinucellate; the seeds are exotegmic and the embryos are straight. Euphorbiaceae s.l. apresenta vários tipos morfológicos de frutos, sendo o mais comum o esquizocarpo. Os frutos das espécies invasoras Euphorbia graminea Jacq., Euphorbia heterophylla L., Euphorbia hirta L. (= Chamaesyce hirta (L.) Millsp.) and Euphorbia prostrata Aiton (= Chamaesyce prostrata (Aiton) Small) são objetos do presente estudo. As inflorescências e frutos em desenvolvimento foram coletados no campus da Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM), Brasil, fixados em FAA 50 e glutaraldeído, desidratados e secionados em micrótomo de rotação, de acordo com as técnicas usuais em anatomia. As espécies apresentam muitas semelhanças anatômicas, embora haja algumas diferenças relacionadas à epiderme externa do ovário, que é glabra em E. graminea e pilosa nas outras espécies. O fruto maduro apresenta exocarpo papiloso e desprovido de tricomas, com exceção de E. hirta. O óvulo é anátropo, bitegumentado e crassinucelado, e as sementes são exotégmicas com embriões retos.

Several types of fruit occur in Euphorbiaceae, notably the explosively dehiscent dry fruit, and different seed-coat anatomies with taxonomic importance. This paper aims to describe the pericarp ontogeny and structure in Euphorbia milii Desmoul., and evaluate the presence of the secretory exotesta and caruncle. The fruit is a schizocarp, whose the pericarp development begins with a periclinal division of the inner epidermal cells. The derived cells divide, forming about four layers of obliquely elongated cells. Then, the adjacent parenchyma cells elongate, giving rise to a palisade layer and finally, the cells between this layer and the vascular strands undergo mitosis, originating about four layers of elongated cells perpendicularly to the inner oblique cells. These three zones lignify, while the region between the vascular strands and the exocarp, where idioblasts, hypodermis and laticifers are present do not show significant changes. Before the dehiscence, a lysis of cells of the septa and the desiccation of the fruit occur, which causes contraction of the non-lignified tissues and tension between the lignified zones, promoting rupture of each mericarp from central columella and on the dorsal strand, ejecting the seeds. The seeds have pseudocaruncle and the exotesta secretes mucilage, facilitating their imbibition. Resumo Diversos tipos de frutos ocorrem em Euphorbiaceae, destacando-se os secos de deiscência explosiva e sementes com envoltórios de diferentes estruturas e importância taxonômica. O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever a ontogênese do pericarpo de Euphorbia milii Desmoul. e avaliar, em termos histoquímicos, a exotesta secretora e a presença de carúncula. O fruto é um esquizocarpo, cujo desenvolvimento do pericarpo se inicia pela divisão periclinal das células da epiderme interna. As derivadas dividem-se, formando cerca de quatro camadas de células alongadas obliquamente. Em seguida, as células parenquimáticas adjacentes alongam-se, formando uma camada em paliçada e então, as células entre a camada em paliçada e os feixes vasculares dividem-se, originando cerca de quatro camadas de células alongadas perpendicularmente às células oblíquas internas. Estas três zonas lignificam-se, enquanto a região entre os feixes vasculares e o exocarpo, que possui idioblastos, hipoderme e laticíferos, não apresenta mudanças significativas. Antes da deiscência ocorre lise das células dos septos e dessecamento do fruto, o qual gera contração dos tecidos não lignificados e tensão entre as zonas lignificadas, rompendo os mericarpos em relação à columela central e na região do feixe dorsal, lançando as sementes. As sementes possuem pseudocarúncula e a exotesta secreta mucilagem, facilitando sua embebição.

In forest remnants of Maringa, Parana, Brazil, there is abundance of the liana species, with little studied reproductive structures, morphologically and anatomically. Among these species occurs Dalechampia stipulacea Mull. Arg., which is the object of the present study. It is a Euphorbiaceae with pseudanthium and trichomes that cause irritation of the skin. The fruits and seeds were fixed and cut freehand and in a rotation microtome, according to the usual techniques. The fruit is a schizocarp tricocca with loculicidal and septicidal dehiscence. The mature pericarp presents sclerenchymatous middle mesocarp and endocarp that originate from meristems installed in the ovary mesophyll and epidermis. The inner mesocarp is constituted by a layer of macrosclereids of subepidermic origin. The seed originates from anatropous, bitegmic and crassinucelate ovule; it is exotegmic and albuminous. The seed presents structural characteristics verified in Acalyphoideae, except for the mesotegmen vascularization

The pericarp development of Serjania communis Camb. and Urvillea ulmacea Kunth was described to expand the structural knowledge of Sapindaceae fruit. Ovaries and fruits were analyzed with usual techniques in plant anatomy. Ovary is structurally similar and the occurrence of glandular and non-glandular trichomes varies between species. In S. communis, the samaroid schizocarp has proximal wings and distal cavities; in U. ulmacea , the fruit presents septicidal and septifragal passive dehiscence and each seed chamber presents a dorsal wing. The unistratified exocarp has long pluricellular, uniseriate and sparse trichomes in U. ulmacea . The mesocarp is spongy, parenchymatous and in S. communis it presents three distinguished regions. Dorsal, lateral and ventral vascular bundles are more developed in S. communis and fiber caps on the phloem in the lateral bundles have an important role on the mericarp separation. The endocarp derives from the adaxial meristem and its oblique and tangentially elongated cells become lignified. The wings originate from a more active meristem – at the ovarian edges – and by intense divisions of ovarian mesophyll in this region. Fruit of U. ulmacea can represent a transition state between the samaroid schizocarp formed by Serjania and the septifragal capsule produced by Cardiospermum .

Malachra capitata is a small seasonal herb. Flowering occurs during September–October. It is hermaphroditic and self-compatible with a mixed breeding system. The conspicuous floral displays, non-tubular nature of the flower, and the small volume of nectar with high sugar concentration attract bees and butterflies with bees serving as the principal pollinator. The fruit set is 21% in open-pollination mode despite the hectic foraging activity of bees and butterflies. The observed fruit set rate is attributed to the high percentage of flower predation by beetles, and by the nature of soil nutrient/environment requirements. The fruit is a schizocarp with five 1-seeded indehiscent mericarps. New plants arise from seed during the rainy season mostly at parental sites and usually form pure stands; the plants complete their life cycle within six or seven months. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/tapro.v5i2.6287 TAPROBANICA , December, 2013. Vol. 05, No. 02: pp. 131-137

In order to evaluate the taxonomic position of Parodianthus, morphological features of partial inflorescences, gynoecium and fruit were studied. The partial inflorescence is a two-flowered reduced raceme; the gynoecium isbicarpellate and paracarpous; the ovules are pendulous, marginally attached in the upper half of the locule; the fruit is a subdrupaceous schizocarp separating into two two-seeded mericarps. These characters suggest the inclusion of the genus in Verbenaceae sensu stricto, tribe Casselieae. This tribe has to also include Casselia and Tamonea.

The new genus Dendrothrix is proposed. Two of its species are new to science, the third one was originally allied to Sapium. Keys for distinguishing related genera using flowers, fruits, and leaves are provided, as is a key to the species of Dendrothrix. A taxonomic revision of the subtribe Mabeinae Pax & K. Hoffmann of the Euphorbiaceae (tribe Hippomaneae A. Jussieu ex Spach) has necessitated the establishment of a new genus in order to accommodate species that have confused students of the Euphorbiaceae for some time. The three species are known from northern Brazil and Venezuela. Dendrothrix Esser, gen. nov. TYPE: Dendrothrix yutajensis (Jablonski) Esser. A ceteris generibus tribus Hippomanearum differt pilis ramosis, foliis integris subtus papillis obtectis sine glandulis marginalibus praeter bases glandulosas, thyrsis regulatim plerumque semel ramosis, glandulis bractearum disciformibus vel cyathiformibus, floribus masculinis bistaminalibus cum filamentis tota longitudine connatis, ovariis pubescentibus, et mericarpiorum septis filo vasculari furcato vel duplici instructis. Trees or shrubs. Hairs multicellular and ramified. Leaves alternate, simple, coriaceous, entire; abaxial epidermis minutely but densely papillose; without petiolar, submarginal, or marginal glands but abaxially with a pair of basimarginal glands and sometimes with laminar glands of 0.2-0.35 mm diam.; petioles 1.5-5.5 cm long. Stipules very small to absent. Thyrses yellowish to cream-colored, terminal, always compound, mostly with one order of branching with several lateral thyrses, bracts small, scaly, glandless. Male cymules distal, at least 8-flowered, their bracts carrying basal glands which, when dry, are cup-shaped or disc-shaped and ? 1 mm long; bracteoles absent. Staminate flowers sessile, at anthesis with 0.6-1.0-mm-long pedicel, subtended by a two-parted calyx fused for most of its length; stamens two per flower, connate, lateral flowers often unistaminate; anthers 0.4 mm long, filaments at anthesis slightly longer than anthers. Female flowers proximal, bracteolate, shortly pedicellate, tricarpellate; sepals three, partly fused; ovary pubescent; style short but evident. Fruit a septicidal schizocarp, smooth, with scattered, caducous pubescence, glabrescent, up to 6 mm long. Mericarps bearing one bifurcate or two distinct vascular strands visible on each septum, leaving an inconspicuous alate central columella. Seeds dry, brown, smooth, carunculate in two species (not known in D. multiglandulosa). The name of the genus refers to the treelike branched hairs, which are unusual for the Euphorbiaceae. This genus differs from the other three neotropical genera of the Hippomaneae with compound thyrses in both its bistaminate male flowers and its totally fused filaments. The inflorescence is similar to that of Senefelderopsis Steyermark: the thyrses are of the same size and are strictly terminal. A single, and rarely a second, order of branches occur, always subtended by small scaly bracts, and the staminate cymules are many-flowered. The two genera therefore can be confused superficially. However, the hairs of Senefelderopsis are multicellular but unbranched, the bracteal glands of its two species are always cylindrical when dry, the staminate flowers carry persistent bracteoles, and its fruits are larger (length 15-25 mm) and have a leathery outer layer. Additionally, the leaves of Senefelderopsis exhibit a row of abaxial submarginal glands and a pair of adaxial basal glands. The hairs and fruits of Dendrothrix are very similar to those of Mabea Aublet. The leaf glands of Mabea, however, are strictly marginal or submarginal, never laminar. The lateral secondary thyrses of Mabea occur irregularly (they are missing in many species, whereas in others they can be several times compound), and the staminate cymules are mostly 3-flowered. The calyx of pistillate flowers and fruits consists of six sepals. Mabea always shows a single undivided vascular strand on each septum of the mericarps, the length of the capsules always exceeds 8 mm, and its indumentum is very dense and persistent. Senefeldera C. Martius, the third other genus with compound thyrses, is quite different, e.g., it NOVON 3: 245-251. 1993. This content downloaded from 157.55.39.215 on Wed, 31 Aug 2016 04:14:05 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms

Fruits and seeds of four anemochorous taxa ofRhamnaceae-Gouanieae were studied by SEM. Flight performance of diaspores of three genera was analyzed. Diverging postfloral morphogeneses lead to different fruit and diaspore types: (1) a solid schizocarp dehiscing into three 2-winged mericarps (Gouania, Crumenaria), (2) an inflated schizocarp dehiscing into three inflated mericarps (Reissekia), and (3) a “hollow” septicide capsule which releases three winged hemimericarps (Alvimiantha). The latter convey significantly heavier seeds thanGouania andReissekia at comparable fall rates. The generic status ofAlvimiantha is confirmed. The Neotropics are pointed out as being a site of strong adaptive radiation for the tribeGouanieae.

Four new species are described in the neotropical genus Stigmaphyllon (Malpighi- aceae): S. adenophorum from Costa Rica and S. aberrans, S. florosum, and S. singulare from South America. A new combination, S. floribundum, is made to provide a correct name in Stigmaphyllon for the West Indian species known by the illegitimate name S. tomentosum (Desf. ex DC) Nied. All species are illustrated. Stigmaphyllon is a genus of ca. 100 species, most of which are vines with long-petiolate, cordate or deltate leaves. The yellow flowers are grouped into umbels or corymbs, which may be solitary but more commonly are arranged into dichasia, thyrses, or pseudoracemes (sensu Cuatrecasas 1958). In most species the androe- cium is heteromorphic. The stamens opposite the styles are usually the largest. Those oppo- site the lateral sepals commonly bear an en- larged connective and reduced locules; in a few species they are sterile. The genus is named for the flaps of tissue (the folioles) that are borne apically by the styles of the majority of the species. The posterior styles, which are always equal, each have one lateral foliole that curves around the anther of the juxtaposed stamen. The anterior style bears two lateral folioles, which are symmetrical. In species which lack folioles the stylar apices may be slightly ex- panded or drawn out into a spur or hook. The stigmas are always internal. The fruit is a schizocarp that splits into three samaras, each of which has a large dorsal wing. The nut may also bear small, lateral winglets or only spurs or ridges; sometimes it is smooth. While the nut is usually spheroid or ovoid, it is laterally flattened in some species. During my study of this genus I have noted the four new species described here as well as the need to provide a new name for a West Indian species. All five species have some char- acteristics rarely or not at all encountered in other species of Stigmaphyllon. The most sur- prising species is S. singulare whose sepals are deciduous. This condition has not been previ- ously reported in the Malpighiaceae.