Back to Search Start Over

Comparative floral micromorphology and anatomy of species of B ulbophyllum section N apelli ( Orchidaceae), a Neotropical section widely distributed in forest habitats.

Comparative floral micromorphology and anatomy of species of B ulbophyllum section N apelli ( Orchidaceae), a Neotropical section widely distributed in forest habitats.

Authors :
Nunes, Elaine L. P.
Smidt, Eric C.
Stützel, Thomas
Ike Coan, Alessandra
Source :
Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. Mar2015, Vol. 177 Issue 3, p378-394. 17p.
Publication Year :
2015

Abstract

Bulbophyllum section Napelli, as recently circumscribed based on molecular analyses, comprises 12 species. These occur as epiphytes in the Brazilian Atlantic Rain Forest and in gallery forests in the cerrado vegetation, and thus differ from other Neotropical sections of Bulbophyllum, which are more variable in habit and habitat. To identify diagnostic characteristics that are representative of this section and to confirm whether there are characteristics that are related to their habit and habitat, their floral micromorphology and anatomy were studied using conventional techniques. Bulbophyllum section Napelli is characterized by sepals with sunken glandular trichomes and stomata on the abaxial surface, reduced petals with one vascular bundle (sometimes lacking), an entire labellum with a secretory sulcus on the adaxial surface and a keel with stomata or glandular trichomes on the abaxial surface, two pollinia, and crystalliferous idioblasts in all floral parts. Our data enable us to distinguish between species and show congruence with the present circumscription of B. section Napelli. The labellar epidermal surface of three closely-related species was unusual in its possession of unicellular trichomes and these appear to function as osmophores. A relationship between striate surfaces, iridescence and pollinator attraction related to the epiphytic habit and forest habitat is proposed. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 177, 378-394. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00244074
Volume :
177
Issue :
3
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
101501227
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/boj.12253