Systematic wood anatomy of the tribe Phyllantheae (Phyllanthaceae,Euphorbiaceae s.l.) from India: implication in reinstatement of Phyllanthus,Glochidion and allies

The present paper provides a comprehensive wood anatomical survey of sixteen Indian species belonging to six genera, viz. Breynia, Flueggea, Glochidion, Leptopus, Margaritaria and Phyllanthus, of Phyllantheae (Phyllanthaceae). Systematic relationships were evaluated within the Phyllantheae with special emphasis on wood anatomical distinctiveness and recognition of genera within the super‐genus Phyllanthus s.l. Except for Leptopus, the wood microstructure of all genera was found to be largely homogeneous. The results confirm the generic identity of Glochidion, Phyllanthus and Breynia s.l. (including Sauropus) within Phyllanthus s.l. and supports the segregation of Leptopus from Phyllantheae. Further, the results did not favour the placement of P. columnaris and P. polyphyllus in same subsection ‘Polyphylli’ of Emblica sect. Emblica. Ecological and evolutionary aspects of the wood anatomy within the tribe are also discussed.