TAXONOMICAL AND CYTOLOGICAL STUDIES ON SOME TAXA OF THE ARACEAE

Abstract

The relationships among nineteen taxa representing fourteen genera in the family Araceae have been addressed on the basis of information derived from macromorphological and micromorphological characters as well as criteria revealed by SDS-PAGE of leaf protein and chromosome number. The macro- and micromorphological attributes of vegetative organs (Petiole & leaf blade) are extracted and presented in cumulative tables and plates. Each character (macromorphology, micromorphology, chromosome number and leaf protein data). Also, combination of all characters was analyzed using the NTSYS-pc software program. The results were presented in four dendrograms, which have been discussed to throw the light on the relationships, similarities and dissimilarities on the taxa studied. The obtained results can be summarized as in the following points.

I. MACRO- AND .MICROMORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES

1- An artificial key is constructed on the basis of macro­ & micromorphological characters of vegetative organs (petiole & leaf blade) of taxa studied. It is evident from this key that the most diagnostic features in macromorphological attributes are: leaf shapes and its colors, petiole color, type of leaf apex and type of stem. Also the most diagnostic features in micromorphology are: occurrence of laticifer and its type, type of crystals, presence or absence of spicular cells (tricosclereids), occurrence of resin canal and