Wuchsform, Infloreszenz- und Blütenmorphologie von Epithema ( Gesneriaceae).

The shoot organization and inflorescence structure of Epithema is analyzed. On the main axis micro- and macrocotyledon (the latter falling off early) are followed by a ± long epicotyl, then a large, solitary leaf (B) and above this a dimerous leaf whorl (B, B). The last internode of the main axis is the 'basic internode' of the 'main florescence' ( Troll). Peculiarly enough, the latter includes only one 'partial florescence' which is embraced by its subtending bract (B) and represents a capitulum-like, congenital, pair-flowered cincinnus. Paracladia arise from the axils of B to B (sometimes also from the macrocotyledon); they are either reduced to their co-florescence (with the same structure as the main florescence), or carry further shoots resp. co-florescences from the axils of a dimerous leaf whorl.- Epithema can be interpreted as anisophyllous.-From flower morphology and ontogenesis a number of new differential characters are revealed. Together with shoot and inflorescence characters their systematic and possible functional significance is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]