Taxonomic and Molecular Study on Some Taxa of Araceae

Abstract

Absract Araceae is a large and ancient monocot family most notable for its impressive morphological diversity. Macromorphological characters, lamina vein architecture, stomatography ab- & adaxially (LM and SEM), stem, petiole and lamina microcharacters as well as molecular characters of 10 araceous taxa were investigated. The obtained criteria were collected in cumulative tables, plates and figures. The foregoing data (418 character states) were numerically analyzed using NTSYST-PC program (version 2.02). The present study aimed to reflect the specific interrelationships among the studied taxa and evaluated the importance of the used criteria in the taxonomy of the studied family. The resulted phenogram discussed the similarities and dissimilarities between the studied taxa to facilitate the separation or support the systematic position of the taxa under investigation within their specific categories. The amalgamated morphological and molecular criteria segregate Alocasia odora away from the remaining taxa and grouped Philodendron erubescens, Scindapsus aureus and Spathiphyllum walisii in distinct group while the remaining six taxa are grouped in another distinct one.