Gynoecium and perianth inZanthoxylum s.l. (Rutaceae)

Abstract

The question whether the uniseriate perianth ofZanthoxylum L. s. str. is homologous with the calyx or the corolla of taxa included inFagara, or of an independent origin, has been controversial for a long time, but the arguments mostly have remained theoretical. The present investigation of floral structures indicates that there are two different types of uniseriate perianth inZanthoxylum s. str. Therefore, this taxon does not represent a natural group and should be united withFagara asZanthoxylum s.l. The infrageneric taxonomy of this genus is still very ambiguous. It is shown that differences in indumentum, number of sepals and petals (5-4-3) resp. perianth segments (4–9), stamens (3–6), and free carpels (1–5) are of systematic relevance. Particularly important but so far neglected is carpel shape, where an acrostylous and an anacrostylous-basistylous type can be recognized. Stigmata of 2 or more carpels mostly fuse to form a compitum. 4–5-merous flowers with calyx and corolla, and acrostylous carpels are considered as plesiomorphic character states in the genus. On the basis of ± corresponding morphological and phytochemical progressions a working hypothesis about the relationships withinZanthoxylum s.l. is presented in graphical form (Fig. 9).