| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
Paulino, Juliana V.
;
Mansano, Vidal F.
;
Prenner, Gerhard
;
Teixeira, Simone P.
Total Authors: 4
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society; v. 183, n. 1, p. 146-161, JAN 1 2017. |
| Web of Science Citations: | 2 |
| Abstract | |
Inga is a highly diverse Neotropical genus of Fabaceae with a rapid and recent diversification. Its flowers are actinomorphic with a wide variation in merism and size and length of perianth. Notwithstanding its species richness and economic importance, few floral ontogenetic studies have been carried out in this genus. Thus, we investigated perianth development and morphology of five Inga spp. using scanning electron and light microscopy. Perianth ontogeny is highly labile. Sepal and petal primordium number ranges from four to seven. The sequence of sepal initiation is generally reversed unidirectionally (from adaxial to abaxial side); petals are initiated simultaneously. The position of sepals and petals is variable among and within species. The sepal may be positioned adaxially, abaxially or slightly displaced in relation to the median sagittal plane. The median petal is positioned in the adaxial (I. congesta, I. grandis) or abaxial region (I. bella, I. hispida). Elongated petals touch each other apically through conspicuous papillae. Perianth development in Inga differs from that of other mimosoids. The early developmental stages show a wide variation. However, subsequent ontogenetic processes, known as equalization during intermediate stages, establish uniformity in the floral architecture, thus preventing possible functional disparities that could influence reproductive success. (C) 2016 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2016 (AU) | |