Sherwin Carlquist, Pomona College; Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden

Vegetative Anatomy and Familial Placement of Tovaria

DOI

10.5642/aliso.19851101.06

First Page

Last Page

Abstract

Leaf, stem, node, and wood anatomy are examined for Tovaria pendula collections from Peru. Features claimed to separate Tovaria from Capparaceae have hitherto included exstipulate nodes and paracytic stomata. However, the presence of stipules and of anomocytic stomata is demonstrated, together with occurrence of probable myrosin cells in leaves and stems. The nodal type is one reported from Capparaceae. This leaves features of gynoecium and fruit, chiefly, as means of distinguishing Tovaria from Capparaceae: ovary nonstipitate, 6-8 loculate, with axile placentation; fruit a berry; ovules with two nucellus layers; endosperm well developed. These features are considered insufficient to maintain recognition of Tovariaceae. Placement in a monogeneric subfamily, Tovarioideae, of Capparaceae seems advisable. Wood anatomy of Tovaria is essentially capparaceous. Pits on vessels are apparently nonvestured, but nonvestured pits may be found in Capparaceae. Vessels increase in diameter and decrease in density with age. Vessel elements are larger in roots than in stems. Wood anatomy is mesomorphic. The fact that there is no discrepancy between wood anatomy and habitat is held to be correlated with presence of drought-deciduous leaves in Tovaria, as opposed to presence of a foliar apparatus more resistant to transpirationalloss.

Recommended Citation

Carlquist, Sherwin (1985) "Vegetative Anatomy and Familial Placement of Tovaria," Aliso: A Journal of Systematic and Floristic Botany: Vol. 11: Iss. 1, Article 6.
Available at: https://scholarship.claremont.edu/aliso/vol11/iss1/6