Systematic wood anatomy of the tribe Phyllantheae (Phyllanthaceae, Euphorbiaceae s.l.) from India: implication in reinstatement of Phyllanthus, Glochidion and allies
17 December 2015
JANGID, PREM PRAKASH; Gupta, SangeetaThe present paper provides comprehensive wood anatomical survey of sixteen Indian species belonging to six genera viz. Breynia, Flueggea, Glochidion, Leptopus, Margaritaria and Phyllanthus of the tribe Phyllantheae of family Phyllanthaceae. Wood microstructure of all the genera was found to be homogeneous to certain extent except for Leptopus. Systematic relationships were evaluated within tribe Phyllantheae with special emphasis on wood anatomical distinctiveness and recognition of genera within super genus Phyllanthus sensu lato. The present systematic wood anatomical study confirms the generic identity of Glochidion, Phyllanthus and Breynia s.l. (including Sauropus) within Phyllanthus s.l. Present study supports the segregation of genus Leptopus from tribe Phyllantheae. Our results did not favour the placement of P. columnaris and P. polyphyllus in same subsection “Polyphylli” of Emblica sect. Emblica. Ecological and evolutionary aspects of wood anatomy within tribe are also investigated.