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The Anatomy of Phenakospermum (Musaceae)

1960; Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University; Volume: 41; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.5962/p.185824

2474-3283

P. B. Tomlinson,

Banana Cultivation and Research

In a recent account of the anatomy of the Musaceae (Tomlinson, 1959) the anatomy of Ravenala is described.Although this dealt with only one species, R. madagascariensis , it is there imphed that Phenakospermum {Ravenala) guianense (L.C. Rich.)Miq.falls within the range of anatomical variation of Ravenala.The anatomy of Phenakospermum has, however, never been described in detail.Recently, thanks to the kindness of Dr. P. Campos-Porto of the Botanic Gardens, Rio de Janeiro, I received pickled material of parts of a mature plant, together with material of a juvenile plant, of Phenakospermum guianense.On first examination of this material it was immediately evident that there were significant differences between Phenakospermum and Ravenala.More recently it has been possible to examine this material in detail, and the present account is based on these anatomical observations.From these results a comparison between Phenakospermum and other members of the Musaceae, particularly Ravenala and Strelitzia, has been made from the standpoint of systematic anatomy.^ Reasons for accepting Phenakospermum Endl.ex Miq. as a valid genus distinct from Ravenala Adans., within which it was formerly included, are given by Lane (1955).He also discusses the nomenclatural problems of Phenakospermum, and, since they are there satisfactorily resolved, it is not necessary to repeat them in the present paper.The chief diagnostic features which are considered by Lane to be characteristic of Phenakospermum are the terminal inflorescence, five stamens in each flower, four or more rows of ovules in each loculus of the ovary, the bright red-orange, filamentous aril and straight embryo with the micropylar opening at the end of the seed.Ravenala, on the other hand, has a lateral inflorescence, six stamens in each flower, only two rows of ovules in each loculus of the