Some remarks on the taxonomic significance of the floral structure in several Miconia (Melastomataceae) species

Abstract

The structural features of vegetative organs have been used in the identification of species de Miconia, Melastomataceae, but the data available are inconsistent because they are commonly subject to environmental variations. In the present work we have attempted to point out floral characters that can be employed in the taxonomy of the genus. Floral buds and flowers were obtained from herbarium vouchers, and plants that occur in natural environments of Brazilian state parks, embedded in historesin, and analyzed in light microscope. Flowers consist of perianth with homogeneous parenchymatous mesophyll, the inferior or semi-inferior ovary with collenchyma and/or parenchyma, anatropous or hemi-anatropous ovules, a single strand of transmitting tissue in the style, hypanthium with collenchyma and parenchyma, and poricidal anthers. Associated floral characters have value at the specific level, viz. perigynous hypanthium structure, filament structure, anther type, ovary position and number of carpels/locules, placentation, wall of the inferior ovary, vascular supply of the ovary, ovule type, and style structure. These structural characteristics of the flower can be useful at the specific and generic level.