Systematic wood anatomy of the subfamily Acalyphoideae s.l. (Euphorbiaceae) from India, with remarks on synonymy
15 January 2016
Jangid, Prem Prakash; Gupta, SangeetaThe present paper deals with detailed wood microstructure of 18 species belonging to 8 genera classified in four tribes of the subfamily Acalyphoideae s.l. (Euphorbiaceae). The study mainly focuses on the systematic implications of wood anatomy to the subfamily, also ecological and evolutionary aspects were evaluated. Wood microstructure of the subfamily was found to be considerably homogeneous except tribe Chaetocarpeae. It is suggested to include Mallotus nudiflorus in Mallotus sect. Philippinensis instead of Mallotus sect. Rottleropsis. Present study supports the segregation of genus Hancea from Mallotus and merging of Trewia into Mallotus. Wood anatomical treatment provided to resolve synonymic problem of Mallotus albus, Mallotus macrostachyus and Mallotus tetracoccus as well as Macaranga denticulata and Macaranga pustulata. The results indicate that these species are distinct instead of being synonyms due to distinct wood structure. Recent sectional circumscriptions of Macaranga and Mallotus have been explored wood anatomically. Radial laticifers were reported for the first time in Macaranga indica. A species identification key has been prepared based on wood anatomical characteristics to distinguish Indian species of Acalyphoideae.