Morphological studies in Meliaceae. II. A reinvestigation of floral anatomy of members of Swietenieae and Trichilieae

Abstract

The floral anatomy of Swietenia mahogoni Jacq., Soymida febrifuga Juss., Chukrassia valutino A. Juss., Dysoxylum binectariferum Hook., Aphanamixis rohituka W. & A. and Heynea trijuga Roxb. are discussed. Calyx is supplied by two whorls of traces in Swietenia, Aphanamixis, Chukrassia and Heynea and only one whorl of traces in Soymida and Dysoxylum. In all the species, except Heynea, petals receive their supply independently. In Heynea petals receive their supply from compound strands. Staminal tube receives its supply from compound strands in Swietenia,Chukrassia, Heynea, Aphanamixis and from independent strands inSoymida and Dysoxylum. Anthers are syngenesious in Dysoxylum. Ovary is supplied only by carpellary ventrals in Soymida, carpellary ventrale and ovary wall traces in Swietenia, carpellary ventrals, ovary wall traces and carpellary dorsals in Chukrassia and carpellary ventrals, ovary wall traces, carpellary dorsals and secondary marginals in Aphanamixis, Dysoxylum and Heynea. Disc is considered receptacular. Ovary is 2-5 locular at the base but becomes unilocular above. In Chukrassia it remains tetralocular throughout. Ovules show attachment to axile placentae in Chukrassia, Heynea and Aphanamixis and to parietal placentae in Heynea, Soymida, Dysoxylum and Swietenia. Non-vascular, 8-20 teeth-like structures are formed from staminal tube. These are interpreted as fused or interpetiolar stipules.