Floral development and anatomy of Salvadoraceae

Background and Aims

This study is an investigation into the floral development and anatomy of two genera of the small family Salvadoraceae, which belongs to the Brassicales in a clade with Batis and Koeberlinia. Salvadoraceae remains little known, despite its wide distribution in arid areas of the globe. Floral morphological data are scarce, and information on floral anatomy is limited to a single study, although morphological and anatomical characters are now used increasingly as a counterpart of molecular data. There remain a number of controversial morphological questions, such as the fusion of the petals, the number of carpels and the nature of the nectaries.

Methods

Floral anatomy and ontogeny were studied in two species of Salvadora and one species of Dobera. Only for S. persica could a full floral developmental sequence be done.

Key Results

The floral development demonstrates that the ovary of Salvadoraceae is basically bicarpellate and pseudomonomerous with a single locule and parietal placenta. The ovary of Dobera resembles Azima tetracantha in the presence of a false apical septum. Evidence for a staminodial nature of the nectaries is not decisive. In Salvadora petals and stamens are lifted by a short hypanthium.

Conclusions

Salvadoraceae share several morphological and developmental synapomorphies with Batis (Bataceae) and possibly Koeberlinia (Koeberliniaceae), supporting their close relationship as indicated by molecular phylogeny.Key words: Batis, Brassicales, Dobera, Emblingia, floral development, floral anatomy, Koeberlinia, phylogeny, Salvadora, Salvadoraceae, SEM