ISSN:
1615-6110
Keywords:
Angiosperms
;
Strelitzia
;
Heliconia
;
Typha
;
Benincasa
;
Epicuticular wax
;
wax ultrastructure
;
wax chemistry
;
systematics
;
taxonomy
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Certain non-liliiflorous taxa within the monocotyledons (e.g.,Strelitzia, Heliconia, Typha) are characterized by compound epicuticular wax rodlets (Strelitzia type). Similar rodlets are also encountered on the surface of the dicotyledonous plantBenincasa hispida (Thunb.)Cogn. Chemical analysis of the surface wax from both sources showed that the rodlets are chemically distinct. The rodlets of the monocotyledons consist exclusively of aliphatic wax lipids, mainly wax esters. In contrast, the rodlets ofBenincasa are cheifly composed of triterpenol acetates and triterpenols. Formation of rodlets is therefore interpreted as ultrastructural convergency. It is concluded that taxonomical studies on wax crystalloids can be misleading when interpreted in terms of micromorphology of crystalloids only.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00983545
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