Micromorphology of epicuticular waxes in Centrosperms |
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Authors: | Thomas Engel Wilhelm Barthlott |
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Institution: | (1) Botanisches Institut und Botanischer Garten, Universität Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 171, D-5300 Bonn 1, Germany;(2) Institut für Systematische Botanik und Pflanzengeographie, Freien Universität Berlin, Altensteinstrasse 6, D-1000 Berlin 33, Germany |
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Abstract: | Epidermal surfaces of about 500 species from some 250 genera of centrospermous families plus some possibly related families were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The micromorphology of their epicuticular waxes is described under taxonomic aspects. In general, Centrosperms tend to develop wax platelets on their cuticle. Shape and size of these platelets are highly diverse, but specific for some taxa. Particular forms of rodlets and thick wax plates occur only in few taxa. The systematic and taxonomic applicability of wax micromorphology is limited, but tentatively family characterizations are given. The data presented provide additional information concerning the familiar and suprafamiliar classification ofCaryophyllales.
Dedicated to the enthusiast of succulent Centrosperms, Prof. DrK. E. Wohlfarth-Bottermann (Director of the Institute of Cytology and Micromorphology, University of Bonn) on the occasion of his 65th birthday in May 1988. |
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Keywords: | Angiosperms Caryophyllales Centrospermae Cuticle micromorphology scanning electron microscopy systematics taxonomy wax |
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