J Syst Evol ›› 1985, Vol. 23 ›› Issue (3): 188-191.

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Comparative Observation on Leaf Anatomy and Pollen of Vernicia Lour. and Aleurites J. R. et G. Forst.

Wu Han   

  1.  (South China Agriculture University, Guangzhou)
  • Published:1985-06-18

Abstract: The folial anatomy and pollen of one species of Aleurites and two species of Vernicia were studied. The former genus is characterized by the presence of echinolophate sculpture of pollen and a single outer stomatal ledge, curved cuticular ridges of peristomatal rim as well as large nodular ornamentation on the surface of epidermis beneath which there is no hypodermis. The latter one is characterized by the verruca-murate sculpture of pollen and the cuticular striate ornamentation on leaf surface of epidermis beneath which there is one layer of hypodermis, although they both have paracytic stomata and the Crotonic type of pollen. The genus Vernicia has not been accepted for a long time, but these micromorphological characters show as additional evidence that recent separation of the two genera by Airy Shaw (1966)[6] is reasonable. Both genera possess very similar xeromorphic feature designated here as orbicular lustrous spot.

Key words: Vernicia, Aleurites, Leaf anatomy, Pollen