Abstract
A detailed morphological and anatomical study of the tropical African genus Virectaria is presented. The observations are used to characterize the genus, to propose a key to all eight species, and to unravel the relationships between the species using cladistics. A taxonomic survey of the genus is also given. Verdcourt's infraspecific taxa based on calyx morphology in V major are adopted, but it was found that morphological distinction is correlated with ecological, habit and distributional differences. Hence, it is better to recognize Verdcourt's varieties spathulata and major as subspecies of V. major. The problematic systematic position of the genus is discussed in detail. New evidence is given for the exclusion of the genus from the Hedyotideae and Ophiorrhizeae (subfamily Rubioideae). The recently proposed position in the Sabiceeae (subfamily Ixoroideae) is not convincing either, since none of the genera included in the Sabiceeae matches Virectaria with respect to pollen, fruit, flower and growth habit. Exclusion from the Rubioideae and a position near the Sabiceeae is supported by lack of raphides, seed anatomy, placentation, stipule morphology and molecular evidence. Molecular data from a larger number of taxa are needed to confirm the position of the genus.
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Claims 5
Claim · model-written summary
Verdcourt's varieties spathulata and major should be recognized as subspecies of Virectaria major.
- Taxon
- V. majorVirectaria majore1
- Outcome
- recognize Verdcourt's varieties spathulata and major as subspecies of V. majore1
Verbatim
e1“Hence, it is better to recognize Verdcourt's varieties spathulata and major as subspecies of V. major”
Claim · model-written summary
Morphological distinction within Virectaria major is correlated with ecological, habit and distributional differences.
- Taxon
- V majorVirectaria majore0
- Material
- Verdcourt's infraspecific taxae0
- Outcome
- morphological distinctione0
Not reportedDirection
Verbatim
e0“Verdcourt's infraspecific taxa based on calyx morphology in V major are adopted, but it was found that morphological distinction is correlated with ecological, habit and distributional differences”
Claim · model-written summary
The genus Virectaria is excluded from the Hedyotideae and Ophiorrhizeae of subfamily Rubioideae.
- Taxon
- VirectariaVirectariat0
- Outcome
- exclusion of the genus from the Hedyotideae and Ophiorrhizeaee3
Not reportedDirection
Verbatim
t0“A morphological and anatomical survey of Virectaria (African Rubiaceae)”
e3“New evidence is given for the exclusion of the genus from the Hedyotideae and Ophiorrhizeae (subfamily Rubioideae)”
Claim · model-written summary
No genus of the Sabiceeae matches Virectaria with respect to pollen, fruit, flower and growth habit.
- Taxon
- VirectariaVirectariae4
- Outcome
- pollen, fruit, flower and growth habite4
Not reportedDirection
Verbatim
e4“none of the genera included in the Sabiceeae matches Virectaria with respect to pollen, fruit, flower and growth habit”
Claim · model-written summary
Exclusion of Virectaria from Rubioideae and a position near the Sabiceeae is supported by lack of raphides, seed anatomy, placentation, stipule morphology and molecular evidence.
- Taxon
- VirectariaVirectariat0
- Outcome
- Exclusion from the Rubioideae and a position near the Sabiceeaee5
- Qualifier
- lack of raphides, seed anatomy, placentation, stipule morphology and molecular evidencee5
Not reportedDirection
Verbatim
t0“A morphological and anatomical survey of Virectaria (African Rubiaceae)”
e5“Exclusion from the Rubioideae and a position near the Sabiceeae is supported by lack of raphides, seed anatomy, placentation, stipule morphology and molecular evidence”