Morphological studies in Argyreia Lour. (Convolvulaceae)

A detailed anatomical study of two species of Argyreia, viz. A. nervosa Bojer and A. roxburghii Choisy, has been made. The structure of the cotyledonary and other nodes and internodes, including the developmental anatomy of the dominant axillary and accessory branches, the course and structure of medullary bundles, and the formation of successive rings of cambia along with the xylem and phloem, have been worked out. Two hitherto unknown types of saccate tracheidal and vessel elements are described. In the light of this work certain inaccuracies in observations and interpretations of some earlier workers are also corrected.