Wood anatomy of the subfamily Crotonoideae (Euphorbiaceae s.s.) from India: systematic implications with special reference to taxonomic delimitation of Givotia Griff. and Vernicia Lour.
1 January 2016
Jangid, Prem Prakash; Gupta, SangeetaComprehensive wood anatomy of 15 representative species belonging to 12 genera classified in nine tribes of the subfamily Crotonoideae (Euphorbiaceae) are described. The present study mainly focuses on the systematic implications of wood anatomy to the subfamily, also ecological and evolutionary aspects were evaluated. An identification key based on wood anatomical features has been developed for the separation of the species. Wood microstructure of tribes was found to be considerably heterogeneous reflecting upon unnatural classification of the subfamily. Comparative wood anatomy study reflects on systematic affinities and relationships of supra-generic taxa within subfamily. The present paper confirms generic relationship within subtribe Aleuritinae and tribe Ricinodendreae with taxonomic delimitation of Vernicia and Givotia based upon wood anatomical and morphological perspectives. Tribe Micrandreae and Adenoclineae have considerable similarity in wood anatomy. Wood structure of the monogeneric tribes Trigonostemoneae and Geloneae reflect close relation with tribe Crotoneae.