0000000000115676
AUTHOR
R Classen-bockhoff
Setting-up tension in the style of Marantaceae
The Marantaceae stand out from other plant families through their unique style movement which is combined with a highly derived form of secondary pollen presentation. Although known for a long time, the mechanism underlying the movement is not yet understood. In this paper, we report an investigation into the biomechanical principles of this movement. For the first time we experimentally confirm that, in Maranta noctiflora, longitudinal growth of the maturing style within the 'straitjacket' of the hooded staminode involves both arresting of the style before tripping and building up of potential for the movement. The longer the style grows in relation to the enclosing hooded staminode, the m…
A new classification of the South African endemic family Bruniaceae based on molecular and morphological data
The classification of Bruniaceae is reviewed based on molecular (matK, ITS, rbcL) and morphological data, and the tribes and genera are redefined as monophyletic, morphologically diagnosable lineages. The family is subdivided into three tribes and six genera with 81 accepted species, Linconieae (Linconia), Audouinieae {Audounia [inch Tittmannia', Thamnea [incl. Pseudobaeckea teres]), and Brunieae (Berzelia [inch Brunia p.p.], Staavia [incl. Raspalia staavioides], and Brunia [incl. Nebelia, Pseudobaeckea p.p., Raspalia p.p., Lonchostoma, Mniothamned'). A key for the new classification, a short description of each genus and an updated nomenclature of all the species are provided. Two new trib…