Comparative wood anatomy of Drypetes and Putranjiva (Putranjivaceae) from India: the systematic implication, identification and comments on synonymy of D. sumatrana
5 May 2015
JANGID, PREM PRAKASH; Gupta, SangeetaThe family Putranjivaceae is enigmatic taxonomically especially genera Drypetes and Putranjiva. Systematic position of the family has been controversial for a long period. The present study provides comprehensive wood microstructure of eleven species belonging to two Indian genera Drypetes and Putranjiva of the family. Woods show a great deal of similarity in qualitative and quantitative wood anatomical features. A species identification key has been developed for the separation of the Indian species based on constant wood anatomical characters. Three distinct infra-generic groups were recognised within Drypetes on the basis of differential perforation plates in vessels. Wood microstructure of Putranjiva was found similar to Drypetes in great extent suggesting its inclusion in Drypetes. Dissimilarities in anatomical as well as morphological features of D. sumatrana, D. kurziana and D. lanceolata suggested considering these as three distinct species and not as synonyms. In addition to taxonomic interpretations, ecological and evolutionary aspects of wood anatomy were also investigated.