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Systematic Occurrence of Anastomosing Laticifers in Araceae

1988; University of Chicago Press; Volume: 149; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1086/337693

1940-1205

James C. French,

Botany, Ecology, and Taxonomy Studies

Results of a systematic survey of the occurrence of anastomosing, articulated laticifers in leaves and inflorescences in 75 genera of Araceae affirm the significance of laticifers in the systematics of Araceae. Anastomosing laticifers are limited to subfamily Colocasioideae and Zomicarpa (Aroideae). This indicates that Zomicarpa may have affinities with the Colocasioideae, since it has anastomosing laticifers. Articulated, nonanastomosing laticifers occur in Calla, Orontium, Philodendroideae, monoecious Lasioideae except Culcasia, and most Aroideae. Laticifers are absent from hermaphroditic Lasioideae. The results support recent revisions of the systematics of Araceae that (1) segregate tribe Lasieae from monoecious Lasioideae, (2) transfer Protarum and Scaphispatha to Colocasioideae from Aroideae, (3) remove Ariopsis from Colocasioideae, and (4) recognize Colocasioideae as a monophyletic group.