Leaf Anatomy and Systematics of Hyacinthaceae

As part of an ongoing study of the families of Asparagales for the "Anatomy of the Monocotyledons" volume series, leaf anatomical characters of a representative sample of 80 species, 32 genera and four subfamilies, including two tribes, of Hyacinthaceae are examined using both light micros...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Kew bulletin 2006, Vol.61 (2), p.145-159
Main Authors: Lynch, Anna H., Rudall, Paula J., Cutler, David F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Botanical gardens
Crystals
Epidermal cells
Epidermis
Genera
Guard cells
Inclusion bodies
Mesophyll cells
Papillae
Systematics
Vascular bundles
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Summary:As part of an ongoing study of the families of Asparagales for the "Anatomy of the Monocotyledons" volume series, leaf anatomical characters of a representative sample of 80 species, 32 genera and four subfamilies, including two tribes, of Hyacinthaceae are examined using both light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Raised 'pustules' or dark-coloured spots are a feature of leaves of some species. In comparison with many other geophytes, leaves of Hyacinthaceae possess relatively little sclerenchyma. There is a wide range of variation in crystal types in the family. The presence of copious mucilage, probably derived either from laticifer-like idioblasts or 'rhexigenetic' lacunae, is a possible synapomorphy for the subfamily Hyacinthoideae, especially the African tribe Massonieae. Lacunae may have evolved within the family in order to allow rapid leaf expansion in deciduous-leafed species from xeric habitats, although they are entirely absent from Massonieae, which have mostly prostrate leaves with relatively large mesophyll cells and relatively broad epidermal cells. Species with more erect leaves, such as many Hyacintheae, possess thickened periclinal epidermal cell walls, perhaps enabling the relatively narrow leaves to be held in a more upright position. Developmental heterophylly occurs in some genera with erect leaves.
ISSN:0075-5974
1874-933X